Dysphagia lusoria caused by aberrant right subclavian artery associated with truncus bicaroticus in an 8-month-old girl. Case report and review of literature.

Abstract

Dysphagia lusoria is a rare pediatric condition caused by extrinsic compression of the esophagus by an abnormal subclavian artery. The most common congenital abnormality in aortic arch development is an aberrant right subclavian artery. The retroesophageal right subclavian artery is typically symptomatic in 10-33% of cases. The patient, an 8-month-old girl with a history of early dysphagia and stridor, was diagnosed with an abnormal right subclavian artery. She was admitted to the pneumology service multiple times due to stridor, vomiting, and failure to thrive. During hospitalization at the gastroenterology service, a barium swallow and an upper digestive endoscopy indicated an abnormal right subclavian artery, which was confirmed by an Angiography CT scan. She underwent surgery at the age of sixteen months. All symptoms are resolved following surgical intervention, and the patient is still asymptomatic and in good clinical condition 12 months later. Every physician should be aware of abnormal right subclavian arteries and their clinical symptoms in children and adults in order to recognize and diagnose them early. Only an early evaluation may reduce complications such as delayed physical growth, dysphagia, and recurrent respiratory infections.