Vascular compression of the airway in children.
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is an important clinical problem. Although survival has improved over recent decades, certain children with CHD remain difficult to treat, usually because of severe co-morbidity or uncorrectable defects. Vascular compression of the airway is one such co-morbidity, occurring in approximately 1-2% of children with CHD. It may be caused by congenital anomalies of the configuration of the great vessels, enlargement of otherwise normal structures or as a result of surgery. The anatomical patterns seen in these children may be complex, and as surgical correction is usually required to relieve the compression, the pre-operative imaging assessment should be as complete as possible. Precise diagnosis and therapy are essential because chronic airway compression in childhood carries a significant morbidity and mortality. Airway stenting is currently reserved for rare occasions when surgical correction is not possible.
Department of Radiology, The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, WC1N 3JH, UK. mclarc@gosh.nhs.uk
Clare A
CA
McLaren
Martin J
MJ
Elliott
Derek J
DJ
Roebuck
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000002:abnormalities*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000601:surgery; D001995:Bronchography / Q000379:methods; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities*; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054079:Vascular Malformations / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis