Unusual presentation of interrupted aortic arch: a case report and radiological review

Abstract

Interrupted aortic arch, arare congenital malformation and there is a loss of luminal continuity between the ascending and descending portions of the aortic arch. Their incidences are of 3 per million live births and manage by surgical treatment. Till now only 12 cases of isolated interrupted aortic arch reported in adults. We notify the computed tomography imaging findings of a 29-year-old femalepatients presented to our hospital. MDCT has advantages of a less scanning time with more spatial resolution and high temporal resolution. Fine anatomic structures can be evaluated by retrospective reconstruction. Within few years MDCT has become a primary diagnostic tool for evaluation of aortic abnormality. Volumetric scanning of chest done in 64 slices MDCT with plain and contrast enhanced (I.Vnon-ionic) contiguous axial images taken from chest and evaluated in appropriate window settings.

Result: Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography with a 64 slice MDCT were performed. The aortic arch is seen interrupted, approx. 1.8cm long segment of aortic arch just after the origin of subclavian artery is not seen (absent), thick chunk of irregular calcification is seen in the region of termination of aortic arch. Descending thoracic aorta is smaller in caliber measure approx. 1.1 x 1.2 cm in diameter & shows well luminal contrast opacification. Prominent Para vertebral collaterals seen suggesting collateral filling of descending thoracic aorta. No evident contrast filled patent ductus arteriosus seen, a tubular slightly enhancing structure seen in this region.