Double Aortic Arch in an Asymptomatic Adult

We present a rare double aortic arch (DAA) diagnosis incidentally on CT in a 60-year-old male who presented with pneumonia. DAA is a vascular ring that typically manifests in infants or children due to compression of the esophagus or trachea, resulting in dysphagia or dyspnea. Diagnosis of DAA in ad...

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Published inCurēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 15; no. 4; p. e37437
Main Authors Lee, William J, Shah, Yash K, Ku, Albert, Patel, Nidhi R, Maldjian, Pierre D
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Cureus Inc 11.04.2023
Cureus
Subjects
Adults
Anatomy
Asymptomatic
Cardiology
Case reports
Coronary vessels
Dysphagia
Dyspnea
Edema
Esophagus
Medical imaging
Oxygen saturation
Pneumonia
Pulmonary embolisms
Radiology
Tomography
United States > US
tracheal compression
double aortic arch
adult male
incidental radiological finding
esophageal compression
vascular ring
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Summary:We present a rare double aortic arch (DAA) diagnosis incidentally on CT in a 60-year-old male who presented with pneumonia. DAA is a vascular ring that typically manifests in infants or children due to compression of the esophagus or trachea, resulting in dysphagia or dyspnea. Diagnosis of DAA in adulthood is usually due to the delayed emergence of obstructive symptoms. We present a case of DAA in an adult patient without dysphagia or dyspnea. We discuss factors that can lead to the presentation of DAA in adults. These include an absence of associated congenital disabilities, insufficient tracheal or esophageal constriction in childhood and the onset of compressive symptoms later in life from decreased vascular compliance.
ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.37437