Vascular rings and tracheobronchial compression in infants.

Five common types of vascular anomalies have been reviewed. The entities should be kept in mind when a child has stridor, respiratory distress, recurrent croup, or pulmonary infections. Use of the plain radiography, barium esophagram, bronchoscopy, and angiography has been discussed in the diagnostic workup of vascular rings. Treatment of true encircling or compressive rings is surgical.