Aberrant right subclavian artery presenting as tracheoesophagial fistula in a 50-year-old lady: Case report of a rare presentation of a common arch anomaly

Abstract

A 50-year-old, woman with a 2-year history of progressive dysphagia and 2-month history of chronic cough was referred to our center in a state of generalized sepsis. Provisional diagnosis of carcinoma esophagus with tracheoesophagial fistula was made. Evaluation of the patient revealed an aberrant right subclavian artery with retroesophageal course with compression of the esophagus and trachea with fistulous communication in between. The patient was managed with medical stabilization and with feeding jejunostomy, but she succumbed to underlying severe sepsis. This presentation of aberrant subclavian artery at this advanced age rare and is therefore reported.

Keywords

• Aberrant right subclavian artery
• aspiration pneumonitis
• tracheoesophageal fistula