J Korean Pediatr Soc.  2002 Feb;45(2):261-266.

A Case of Vascular Ring Associated with Tracheitis Due to Type b Haemophilus influenzae

• Kim SH
• Chung YS
• Oh SH
• Kim NS
• Kim H

Abstract

Vascular ring, originating from abnormal regression of the aortic arch during fetal life, can cause prolonged and recurrent respiratory symptoms and dysphagia when the diagnosis is delayed. We report a 4 month old girl with vascular ring, who had been treated for persistent respiratory symptoms including stridor, wheezing, and dyspnea soon after birth. Initially her respiratory symptoms were thought to be due to bronchiolitis, for which respiratory syncytial virus was confirmed by immunofluorescent staining. Her clinical course was again complicated with tracheitis and pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenzae type b. The possibility of anatomical anomaly was investigated when it was felt to be difficult to insert a suction catheter deep down through a endotracheal tube which was placed for adequate ventilatory management. A three-dimensional chest CT revealed a vascular ring consisting of a double aortic arch. For 5 months following surgery, her respiratory symptoms have slowly been improving. She developed another episode of pneumonia which was milder than the one which occurred before the surgery.

Keyword

Vascular ring; Recurrent respiratory symptoms

MeSH Terms

Aorta, Thoracic
Bronchiolitis
Catheters
Deglutition Disorders
Diagnosis
Dyspnea
Female
Haemophilus influenzae type b
Haemophilus influenzae*
Haemophilus*
Humans
Infant
Parturition
Pneumonia
Respiratory Sounds
Respiratory Syncytial Viruses
Suction
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Tracheitis*