Magnetic resonance imaging of airway obstruction resulting from vascular anomalies.

Accurate diagnosis is important in the evaluation of airway disorders of infants and children. Today, multiple imaging techniques are available to evaluate the pediatric airway. We performed magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the airway in 16 infants and children with symptoms of airway obstruction. Fourteen of 16 patients symptoms were related to compression of the airway by vascular structure. MR imaging was useful in the diagnosis and management of these patients without the need for more invasive procedures.