Tracheobronchial compression by right-sided aortic arch in a middle aged male.
Exertional dyspnoea is a common symptom among middle-aged population. Diagnostic evaluation of such patients is often challenging and confusing. We report a patient presenting with exertional dyspnoea and an obstructive ventilatory defect on spirometry that was refractory to bronchodilator therapy. Careful review of the chest radiograph and spirometry pointed towards variable intra-thoracic airways obstruction as a cause of dyspnoea. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the thorax and bronchoscopy established the diagnosis of a right-sided aortic arch resulting in tracheobronchial compression and tracheomalacia.
Department of Chest and Tuberculosis, S.M.S. Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. drmlgupta@sify.com
Manohar Lal
ML
Gupta
Chand
C
Bhandari
Mahesh
M
Mishra
Jyotsna
J
Sinha
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000002:abnormalities*; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology; D055090:Tracheomalacia / Q000209:etiology