TY - JOUR
T1 - Investigation of vascular compression of the trachea
T2 - The complementary roles of barium swallow and echocardiography
AU - Burch, M.
AU - Balaji, S.
AU - Deanfield, J. E.
AU - Sullivan, I. D.
PY - 1993
Y1 - 1993
N2 - To determine the preferred investigation of congenital vascular compression of the trachea, preoperative investigation in 40 patients undergoing surgery 1981-91 was analysed. The importance of preoperative identification of detailed arterial anatomy in determining surgical technique was also assessed in 122 consecutive patients undergoing surgery 1952-91. Of the 40 patients (median age 5 months) seen 1981-91, barium swallow before referral suggested the diagnosis of vascular compression in 26 of 27 (96%). Angiography (1/3), bronchoscopy (0/6), and echocardiography (2/6) were generally unhelpful in diagnosing vascular compression before referral. Echocardiography was performed after referral in 18 consecutive patients since 1986 and the correct arterial anatomy was identified in 16 (88%); hyperinflation resulted in inadequate images in the two others. Barium swallow is the investigation of choice to screen for suspected vascular compression of the trachea; echocardiography at the referral centre can define the arterial anatomy in nearly all patients. Further investigation can be reserved for selected cases.
AB - To determine the preferred investigation of congenital vascular compression of the trachea, preoperative investigation in 40 patients undergoing surgery 1981-91 was analysed. The importance of preoperative identification of detailed arterial anatomy in determining surgical technique was also assessed in 122 consecutive patients undergoing surgery 1952-91. Of the 40 patients (median age 5 months) seen 1981-91, barium swallow before referral suggested the diagnosis of vascular compression in 26 of 27 (96%). Angiography (1/3), bronchoscopy (0/6), and echocardiography (2/6) were generally unhelpful in diagnosing vascular compression before referral. Echocardiography was performed after referral in 18 consecutive patients since 1986 and the correct arterial anatomy was identified in 16 (88%); hyperinflation resulted in inadequate images in the two others. Barium swallow is the investigation of choice to screen for suspected vascular compression of the trachea; echocardiography at the referral centre can define the arterial anatomy in nearly all patients. Further investigation can be reserved for selected cases.
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U2 - 10.1136/adc.68.2.171
DO - 10.1136/adc.68.2.171
M3 - Article
C2 - 8481037
AN - SCOPUS:0027462248
SN - 0003-9888
VL - 68
SP - 171
EP - 176
JO - Archives of Disease in Childhood
JF - Archives of Disease in Childhood
IS - 2
ER -