CTICasesDouble aortic arch
Imaging findings
Chest radiographs, barium esophagram, and CT scan with 3D reconstruction demonstrate a double aortic arch forming a vascular ring. The right aortic arch is larger and higher, while the left aortic arch is smaller and lower. The ring causes extrinsic narrowing of the trachea and esophageal compression. Symmetrical origin of four brachycephalic vessels is also present.
Key takeaways
A double aortic arch is a congenital vascular anomaly where both the right and left arches persist, forming a complete vascular ring around the trachea and esophagus. While it is often diagnosed in infancy due to respiratory distress, patients can remain asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic into adulthood, presenting later with dysphagia or dyspnea as the vessels become ectatic with age.
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