Case Study

CT – Persistent right aortic arch with stenosis of the esophagus and pulsing diverticulum in a 9 week old FS Visla

This 9 week old FS Visla has a history of reguritation; on esophagram, suspected vascular ring anomaly/PRAA, seeking to confirm.

Image Interpretation

CTof the thorax –

The aortic arch emerges to the right of the Oesophagus and trachea. Focal leftward deviation of the trachea is noted at the heart base. Marked dilation of the oesophagus with gas is noted cranial to the heart. Focal narrowing is seen at the heart base. Mild dilation with gas is present caudal to the heart base. The remainder of the vascular anatomy is as expected

DX

The computed tomography confirms the suspicion of a persistent right aortic arch with band like narrowing and stenosis of the esophagus level with the heart base as well as a pulsion diverticulum cranial to the heart.

Outcome

The mild dilation of the esophagus caudal to the stenosis may either be associated with the general anesthesia or an early expression of a generalized motility disturbance of the esophagus.