Influence of fetal diagnosis on the clinical presentation of a vascular ring.

A fetus had a diagnosis of a vascular ring formed by a right aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery. The infant experienced isolated dysphagia and vomiting 3 months after birth. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the vascular ring and demonstrated profound, isolated esophageal dilation with normal airways. The severity of postnatal symptoms due to a vascular ring is difficult to determine in utero. Expectant management of the lesion is necessary, and use of MRI as the imaging method allows for both confirmation of the diagnosis and evaluation of the airway and esophagus while avoiding radiation.