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. 1993 Feb;68(2):171–176. doi: 10.1136/adc.68.2.171

Investigation of vascular compression of the trachea: the complementary roles of barium swallow and echocardiography.

M Burch 1, S Balaji 1, J E Deanfield 1, I D Sullivan 1
PMCID: PMC1029228  PMID: 8481037

Abstract

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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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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