Imaging appearance of double aortic arches

VRU 2023 - 64(4): 669-676

Author

Obi Veterinary Education
January 15, 2024

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Background: Double aortic arch (DAA) is a rare congenital vascular anomaly that can cause respiratory and/or digestive signs in dogs.

Study: The aim of this study was to describe the computed tomographic (CT) features of DAA in six dogs and compare them with other diagnostic modalities.

Methods: The medical records of six dogs diagnosed with DAA by CT angiography were retrospectively reviewed. The CT findings were compared with radiography, fluoroscopy, and echocardiography when available.

Results: All dogs had a complete DAA with a dominant right arch and a smaller left arch. The DAA encircled the trachea and esophagus, causing variable degrees of compression. The most common clinical signs were coughing, dyspnea, and regurgitation. Radiography and fluoroscopy showed tracheal narrowing and esophageal dilation. Echocardiography detected the DAA in four of five dogs, but could not assess the degree of compression or the vascular anatomy in detail.

Limitations: The main limitations of this study were the small sample size and the lack of histopathological confirmation of the DAA.

Conclusions: CT angiography is a useful diagnostic tool for DAA in dogs, as it allows the visualization of the vascular ring, the identification of the dominant and smaller arches, and the evaluation of the degree of compression of the trachea and esophagus.

(A), Left lateral and (B), ventrodorsal thoracic radiographs of a 2.5-month-old female intact Great Dane (Case 1) diagnosed with severe segmental esophageal gas dilation, and ventral (arrowheads) and leftward (arrow) deviation of the trachea, compatible with a vascular ring anomaly. An alveolar pulmonary pattern is identified within the right middle lung lobe (*), suggestive of aspiration pneumonia.

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