Prenatal Ultrasound Diagnosis of Double Aortic Arch versus Right Aortic Arch Variant in Vascular Ring Formation - Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Double aortic arch represents a congenital vascular malformation that is characterized by the development of a complete vascular ring around the esophagus and trachea due to an anomaly in the development of branchial arteries. We present the case of a 31-year-old gravida that was referred for fetal ultrasound anomalies screening at 22 weeks and six days of gestation. Routine ultrasound scanning of the fetus revealed a structural aortic arch anomaly consistent with a double aortic arch, with no other cardiac and diextracardiac congenital structural malformations. Knowledge of embryology and imaging spectrum of aortic arch anomalies that are able to form vascular rings around the trachea and esophagus are essential for an accurate antenatal diagnosis and therefore, for a correct clinical management.