[Value of the esophagogram in the study of vascular rings].

The diagnostic value of esophagograms was studied in 67 patients with aortic arch abnormalities and tracheoesophageal compression. This group of patients included the following malformations: double aortic arch (11), retroesophageal subclavia (48), retroesophageal aorta (5), cervical arch with retroesophageal component (2) and anomalous left pulmonary artery (sling) (1). Three types of esophageal indentation were observed in the esophagogram: anterior, posterior and bilateral. Anterior indentation was caused by the left pulmonary artery, and posterior indentation, when isolated, was caused by the retroesophageal subclavia. Posterior indentation associated with bilateral indentation was present in cases of double aortic arch. The upper lateral indentation was always caused by the predominant arch. We conclude that esophagogram is an easy and valid method for the diagnosis of this type of pathology.