Markedly hypoplastic circumflex retroesophageal right aortic arch: MR imaging and surgical implications.
BACKGROUND
Circumflex retroesophageal right aortic arch with a markedly hypoplastic retroesophageal segment is a rare anomaly of the aortic arch. Adequate surgical management relies on precise diagnosis, which might not be feasible with echocardiography.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the utility of MR imaging in establishing the diagnosis and to describe potential pitfalls in making the diagnosis.


METHODS
Three patients with a circumflex retroesophageal right aortic arch with a markedly hypoplastic retroesophageal segment were retrospectively evaluated. All patients underwent evaluation by echocardiography and MR imaging. The MR imaging consisted of 3-D MR angiography in two patients and fast gradient recalled echo with cardiac-triggered segmented acquisition in one patient. Surgical confirmation was obtained on all three patients.


RESULTS
The arch anatomy was accurately depicted in all three patients by MR imaging and in none of the patients by echocardiography.


CONCLUSIONS
MR imaging is extremely useful in establishing the diagnosis of markedly hypoplastic retroesophageal circumflex right aortic arch and thus helps in surgical planning.
Hilmes
Melissa
M
Department of Radiology, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0252, USA. rjhm@med.umich.edu
Hernandez
Ramiro
R
Devaney
Eric
E
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000002:abnormalities*; D001015:Aortic Arch Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000002:abnormalities
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA