Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease (May 2017)

Unusual symptomatic late onset presentation of aberrant right subclavian artery: report of two cases and short literature review

  • Yannis Dimitroglou,
  • Ioannis Loulakas,
  • Maria Chounti,
  • Michail Megalakakis,
  • Eleni Karavana,
  • Panagiotis Hountis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2017.774
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 87, no. 1

Abstract

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Aberrant subclavian arteries are congenital vascular anomalies that usually do not cause any symptoms. When symptomatic they are considered as a rare cause of dysphagia. This presentation is known as dysphagia lusoria. They are diagnosed by barium swallow or contrast-enhanced computed tomography, although it may be an incidental finding. Management varies from life modifications and drug therapy to surgical intervention. We report two cases of the unusual form of late onset symptomatic presentation because of the presence of aberrant right subclavian artery. Main symptom was chest pain without dysphagia. Due to age and medical comorbidities both patients where managed conservatively.

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