Vascular ring anomaly

Case contributed by Allison L Zwingenberger

Diagnosis certain

Citation, DOI, disclosures and case data

Citation:

Zwingenberger A, Vascular ring anomaly. Case study, Vetlucent.com (Accessed on 17 Jan 2026) https://vetlucent.com/cases/74108

DOI:

Permalink:

https://vetlucent.com/cases/74108

vID:

74108

Disclosures:

At the time the case was submitted for publication Allison L Zwingenberger had no recorded disclosures.

View Allison L Zwingenberger's current disclosures

Case published:

30 May 2023

Revisions:

2 times, by 1 contributor - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Cardiac

Tags:

student core

Institution:

University of California, Davis

Quiz mode:

Included

Presentation

Began regurgitating when weaned onto solid food.

Thorax

From the case: Vascular ring anomaly

x-ray

On the lateral radiograph, the trachea is ventrally deviated cranial to the heart. There is gas in the cervical and proximal thoracic esophagus. On the v/d projection, the cranial mediastinum is widened, with increased soft tissue opacity and a gas-filled esophagus. The trachea is deviated sharply to the left at the level of the third rib. The remainder of the cardiopulmonary structures appear normal.

There is poor peritoneal detail consistent with the young age of the animal. The gastrointestinal tract contains some mineral opacity foreign material.

On the esophagram, the proximal esophagus is dilated. A bolus is static at the third intercostal space, with a small amount of barium passing distal to this site and into the stomach. The distal esophagus is normal.

Case Discussion

The location of the stricture is consistent with a congenital vascular ring anomaly causing extraluminal obstruction. A persistent right aortic arch and ligamentum arteriosum constricting the esophagus were identified at surgery.

The proximal esophageal dilation and deviation of the trachea are characteristic of a vascular ring anomaly, commonly a persistent right aortic arch. The abnormal vasculature forms a ring that entraps the trachea and esophagus between the heart and the aorta. The focal nature of the constriction causes the sharp left deviation of the trachea near the third intercostal space.

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Vascular ring anomaly

Citation, DOI, disclosures and case data

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Thorax

Case Discussion

1 playlist includes this case

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