Double aortic arch with an atretic left arch distal to the origin of left subclavian artery was diagnosed with multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) in two children with dysphagia. This rare type of complete vascular ring is clinically important because it may be confused with right aortic arch in mirror imaging. Anatomic details of this rare type of complete vascular ring demonstrated on MDCT facilitated appropriate surgical treatment.
Adolescent ; Aorta, Thoracic/*abnormalities/radiography/surgery ; Child, Preschool ; Deglutition Disorders/etiology/radiography/surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Multidetector Computed Tomography/*methods ; Subclavian Artery/*abnormalities/radiography/surgery ; Vascular Malformations/complications/*radiography/surgery ; Vascular Surgical Procedures

BACKGROUND: After surgery for degenerative spinal disease by the anterior approach, the degree of soft tissue swelling can be assessed simply using plain radiographs. However, there are little studies according to the surgical methods or extent of surgery, and no study had addressed the clinical meaning of swelling determined by plain radiography. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of prevertebral soft tissue swelling (PSTS) after anterior cervical fusion with plate fixation for the treatment of degenerative cervical spinal disorders. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five patients that underwent anterior cervical fusion with plate augmentation for degenerative cervical spondylosis were included in this study. PSTS differences were analyzed with respect to numbers of fusion segments and location of fusion. Cases were divided into two groups based on the amount of PSTS, and incidences of dyspnea, dysphagia, dysphonia were evaluated. RESULTS: PSTS increments were significantly greater in patients that had undergone multi-level or high-level fusion. Complications of dyspnea, dysphagia and dysphonia were found more frequently in patients with marked PSTS group. CONCLUSIONS: Increments of PSTS after anterior cervical fusion for degenerative spinal disorders are greater and incidences of complications are higher in patients that undergo multi-level or high-level fusion. Thus, measurement of PSTS using consecutive cervical lateral radiographs after anterior cervical surgery is clinically meaningful procedure.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery ; Deglutition Disorders/etiology ; Diskectomy/*adverse effects ; Dysphonia/etiology ; Dyspnea/etiology ; Edema/etiology/*radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck Injuries/etiology/*radiography ; Soft Tissue Injuries/etiology/*radiography ; Spinal Fusion/*adverse effects ; Spondylosis/*surgery

BACKGROUND: After surgery for degenerative spinal disease by the anterior approach, the degree of soft tissue swelling can be assessed simply using plain radiographs. However, there are little studies according to the surgical methods or extent of surgery, and no study had addressed the clinical meaning of swelling determined by plain radiography. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of prevertebral soft tissue swelling (PSTS) after anterior cervical fusion with plate fixation for the treatment of degenerative cervical spinal disorders. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five patients that underwent anterior cervical fusion with plate augmentation for degenerative cervical spondylosis were included in this study. PSTS differences were analyzed with respect to numbers of fusion segments and location of fusion. Cases were divided into two groups based on the amount of PSTS, and incidences of dyspnea, dysphagia, dysphonia were evaluated. RESULTS: PSTS increments were significantly greater in patients that had undergone multi-level or high-level fusion. Complications of dyspnea, dysphagia and dysphonia were found more frequently in patients with marked PSTS group. CONCLUSIONS: Increments of PSTS after anterior cervical fusion for degenerative spinal disorders are greater and incidences of complications are higher in patients that undergo multi-level or high-level fusion. Thus, measurement of PSTS using consecutive cervical lateral radiographs after anterior cervical surgery is clinically meaningful procedure.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery ; Deglutition Disorders/etiology ; Diskectomy/*adverse effects ; Dysphonia/etiology ; Dyspnea/etiology ; Edema/etiology/*radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck Injuries/etiology/*radiography ; Soft Tissue Injuries/etiology/*radiography ; Spinal Fusion/*adverse effects ; Spondylosis/*surgery