Yes got lots of answers...can't believe its 3 years ago now!!
I assume you are in a similar situation-what sort of thing would you like to know?
Basically to cut a very long and complicated story short. DS2 had Stridor since birth. Doctors assumed it was Laryngomalacia and just monitored it. When it didn't improve by the time he was a year he was referred to have a barium swallow done. He had the swallow done and then within about 2 minutes the room was full of radiographers. He had a huge indentation in his osophagus.
They said it was more than likely a Vascular Ring and we got referred to GOSH for a CT scan and really detailed echo (our local hospital didn't do it). He was examined at GOSH by a chap called Jan Marek who was amazing-he had this ability to completely calm him down while they did the echo which took the best part of an hour. Anyway after the echo they were still convinced it was a VR and he had the CT to confirm. When the CT results came back it transpired that the bit that makes it into the VR wasn't there so it wasn't a complete ring.
He has something called an ARSA (Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery). Its much more common than a Vascular Ring but much harder to treat. With the VR they ligate (snip) the ring and the osohagus/trachea "bounce" back so to speak. With an ARSA to correct the problem they have to completely reposition the Aortic Artery which is massive surgery.
He is now 4 and you wouldn't think there is anything wrong with him. At the moment we haven't had the operation done as while he is coping they don't want to do which I completely agree with. His symptoms have improved hugely as he has grown-the stridor is still there but sometimes its only me that notices it. His main problem is where the Artery pushes on his osophagus it caused acid to come up and irritate his throat so he coughs a lot and has to take Omeprazole to try and reduce the acid. They also took his tonsils/adenoids out to try and create more space in his throat.
Please feel free to PM if I can help in anyway at all. Its not something that is very well known and I really struggled to find any information at all. I found a fantastic blog online from a lady whose little boy has a DAA (Double Aortic Arch) which is very much like a VR and they helped loads.