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Retro-oesophageal right subclavian artery in association with thyroid ima artery: a case report, clinical impact and review of the literature
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Abstract
A 37-year-old female Caucasian cadaver with an aberrant right subclavian artery extending from the left side of the aortic arch and following a retro-oesophageal course is presented. A non-recurrent right laryngeal nerve and a thyroid ima artery arising from the lower part of the middle third of the right common carotid artery coexisted. The brachiocephalic trunk was absent, while both common carotid arteries and left subclavian artery followed their normal course. The aim of the current study is to highlight the clinical impact of the above abnormalities providing useful and practically applicable knowledge to interventional clinicians, thoracic and neck surgeons, since the vast majority of documented cases with an arteria lusoria are clinically silent and in most cases discovered incidentally. Clinical manifestations such as dysphagia, chronic cough, and acute ischaemia to the right upper limb may occur, leading to misinterpretation in radiographic examination and complications during neck and thoracic surgery. Review of the literature was also performed and the embryological background of the aberration is highlighted.
Abstract
A 37-year-old female Caucasian cadaver with an aberrant right subclavian artery extending from the left side of the aortic arch and following a retro-oesophageal course is presented. A non-recurrent right laryngeal nerve and a thyroid ima artery arising from the lower part of the middle third of the right common carotid artery coexisted. The brachiocephalic trunk was absent, while both common carotid arteries and left subclavian artery followed their normal course. The aim of the current study is to highlight the clinical impact of the above abnormalities providing useful and practically applicable knowledge to interventional clinicians, thoracic and neck surgeons, since the vast majority of documented cases with an arteria lusoria are clinically silent and in most cases discovered incidentally. Clinical manifestations such as dysphagia, chronic cough, and acute ischaemia to the right upper limb may occur, leading to misinterpretation in radiographic examination and complications during neck and thoracic surgery. Review of the literature was also performed and the embryological background of the aberration is highlighted.
Keywords
aortic arch variations, arteria lusoria, non-recurrent laryngeal nerve
About this articleTitle
Retro-oesophageal right subclavian artery in association with thyroid ima artery: a case report, clinical impact and review of the literature
Journal
Issue
Article type
Case report
Pages
130-135
Published online
2015-09-17
Page views
3376
Article views/downloads
1544
DOI
10.5603/FM.a2015.0080
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2016;75(1):130-135.
Keywords
aortic arch variations
arteria lusoria
non-recurrent laryngeal nerve
Authors
K. Natsis
N. Lazaridis
A. Gkiouliava
M. Didagelos
M. Piagkou
