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.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Shuford WH, Sybers RG: The Aortic Arch and its Malformations with Emphasis on the Angiographic Features. Springfield, Illinois, Charles C Thomas, 1974, pp 18–92
Klinkhamer AC: Aberrant right subclavian artery: Clinical and roentgenologic aspects. Am J Roentgenol 97:438–446, 1966
Edwards JE: Anomalies of the derivatives of the aortic arch system. Med Clin North Am 32:925–949, 1948
Lincoln JCR, Deverall PB, Stark J, Aberdeen E, Waterston DJ: Vascular anomalies compressing the esophagus and trachea. Thorax 24:295–306, 1969
Lichter I: Treatment of dysphagia lusoria in the adult. Br J Surgery 50:793–796, 1963
Asherson N: David Bayford: His syndrome and sign of dysphagia lusoria. Ann R Coll Surg Eng 61:63–67, 1979
Shannon JM: Aberrant right subclavian artery with Kommerell's diverticulum: Report of a case. J Thorac Cardiovasc Sur 41:408–411, 1961
Klinkenhamer AC: Esophagography in Anomalies of the Aortic Arch System. Baltimore, Williams and Wilkins, 1969, pp 16–30
Shuford WH, Sybers RG, Edwards FK: The three types of aortic arch. Am J Roentgenol 109:67–83, 1970
Berenzweig H, Baue AE, McCallum RW: Dysphagia lusoria: Report of a case and a review of the diagnostic and surgical approach. Dig Dis Sci 25:630–636, 1980
Palmer E: Dysphagia lusoria: Clinical aspects in the adult. Ann Intern Med 42:1173–1180, 1955
Rahiah FA: Dysphagia lusoria in adults. Int Surg 48:466–469, 1967
Blackstone MO: Uncommon esophageal appearances.In Endoscopic Interpretation. New York, Raven Press, 1984, pp 76–77
Holinger PH, Schild JA: Anomalies of the esophagus.In Gastroenterology, 3rd ed. HL Bockus (ed). Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1974, pp 183–190
Haaga JR, Alfidi RJ: Computed Tomography of the Whole Body. St Louis, CV Mosby, 1988, pp 586–648
Lee JKT, Sagel SS, Stanley RJ: Computed Body Tomography with MRI correlation. New York, Raven Press, 1989, pp 223–225
Hahn D: Mediastinum and lung.In Magnetic Resonance Imaging. DD Stark, WG Bradley (eds). St Louis, CV Mosby, 1988, pp 804–833
Skinner DB and Belsey RHR: Management of Esophageal Disease. Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1988, pp 378–385
Valentine JR, Carter DJ, Clagett GP: A modified extrathoracic approach to the treatment of dysphagia lusoria. J Vasc Surg 5:498–500, 1987
Karlson KJ, Heiss FW, Ellis FH: Adult dysphagia lusoria: Treatment by arterial division and re-establishment of vascular continuity. Chest 87:684–686, 1985
Leonardi HK, Naggar CZ, Ellis FH: Dysphagia due to aortic arch anomaly: Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations. Arch Surg 115:1229–1232, 1980
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
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.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
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
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01308358