Specialty medical genetics ICD-9-CM 747.21 | ICD-10 Q27.8 | |
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Aberrant subclavian artery, or aberrant subclavian artery syndrome, is a rare anatomical variant of the origin of the right or left subclavian artery. This abnormality is the most common congenital vascular anomaly of the aortic arch.
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Presentation
The aberrant artery usually arises just distal to the left subclavian artery and crosses in the posterior part of the mediastinum usually behind the oesophagus on its way to the right upper extremity. Such course of this aberrant vessel may cause a vascular ring around the trachea and oesophagus. Dysphagia due to an aberrant right subclavian artery is termed dysphagia lusoria. Palsy of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is termed Ortner's syndrome.
The aberrant right subclavian artery frequently arises from a dilated segment of the proximal descending aorta, the so-called Diverticulum of Kommerell (which was named for the German Radiologist, Burckhard Friedrich Kommerell (1901–1990), who discovered it in 1936). It is alternatively known as lusorian artery.
Treatment
Surgery is sometimes used to treat the condition.