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Dysphagia lusoria caused by persistent right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and diverticulum of kommerell

Digestive Diseases and Sciences volume 37, pages 144–149 (1992)Cite this article

Sammary

It requires a high index of suspicion to make the diagnosis of dysphagia lusoria. Clinically, these adults will present with symptoms of intermittent solid food dysphagia, and a mediastinal abnormality may be seen on chest x-ray. Noninvasive imaging of the chest with either computerized tomography or magnetic resonance scanning are excellent methods for evaluating the mediastinum for solid tumors or vascular anomalies that can cause extrinsic esophageal compression. Dysphagia lusoria caused by a persistence of the right embryologic aortic arch and diverticulum of Kommerell with an aberrant left subclavian artery may be satisfactorily managed by dietary modification when the symptoms are mild.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastroenterology Service, Department of Medicine, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Bldg 403-W, 80045-5001, Aurora, Colorado

    Peter R. Mcnally DO, FACP &  Kevin M. Rak MD

  2. Department of Radiology, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, 80045-5001, Aurora, Colorado

    Peter R. Mcnally DO, FACP &  Kevin M. Rak MD

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  1. Peter R. Mcnally DO, FACP
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  2. Kevin M. Rak MD
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The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private ones of the authors and are not to be construed as official policy or reflecting the views of the Army or the Department of Defense.

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Mcnally, P.R., Rak, K.M. Dysphagia lusoria caused by persistent right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and diverticulum of kommerell. Digest Dis Sci 37, 144–149 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01308358

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01308358

Key Words

  • aorta
  • esophagus
  • dysphagia
  • congenital anomalies