Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery as Incidental Finding and Associated to Dysphagia. A series of Cases and Review of the Literature

Authors

  • Ilson Sepúlveda Radiology Department, Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Services; General Hospital of Concepcion. Concepcion. Chile
  • Arístides A. Capizzano Radiology Department, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Michigan Health System. Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA , University of Michigan, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor image/svg+xml
  • Francisco Rivas-Rodriguez Radiology Department, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Michigan Health System. Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA , University of Michigan, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor image/svg+xml
  • Sergio Castillo University of Concepción School of Medicine, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Service, General Hospital of Concepcion. Chile , University of Concepción image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59667/sjoranm.v31i1.14

Keywords:

Arteria lusoria, Computed Tomography, Incidental, Surgical, Implications, Dysphagia

Abstract

The Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), also known as the "arteria lusoria," is a distinctive congenital anomaly of the aortic arch. Its estimated prevalence in the general population ranges from 0.16% to 4.4%, with a higher incidence in women. Many people remain asymptomatic throughout their lives, and the anomaly is usually discovered incidentally during imaging studies. The symptoms typically present as non-progressive mechanical dysphagia, primarily with solid foods, and usually appear around the fifth decade of life. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is an invaluable tool for identifying the anomalous origin, its retroesophageal course, and the degree of esophageal compression. In addition to anatomical imaging studies, functional esophageal studies are gaining recognition for their role in evaluating dysphagia and distinguishing between true pathological compression and incidental findings. We present a series of four clinical cases of an anomalous right subclavian artery, either alone or associated with dysphagia, incidentally diagnosed in adult patients by CT. Our objective is to perform a thorough literature review to thoroughly analyze the implications and significance of this vascular anomaly, with a focus on its relevance in cases of dysphagia or dyspnea and its application to patients scheduled for surgical procedures in the chest and neck regions.

Author Biographies

  • Ilson Sepúlveda, Radiology Department, Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Services; General Hospital of Concepcion. Concepcion. Chile

    Radiology Department, Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Services; General Hospital of Concepcion. Concepcion. Chile

    ORCID

  • Arístides A. Capizzano, Radiology Department, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Michigan Health System. Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, University of Michigan, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

    Radiology Department, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Michigan Health System. Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    ORCID

  • Francisco Rivas-Rodriguez, Radiology Department, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Michigan Health System. Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, University of Michigan, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

    Radiology Department, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Michigan Health System. Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    ORCID

  • Sergio Castillo, University of Concepción School of Medicine, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Service, General Hospital of Concepcion. Chile, University of Concepción

    University of Concepción School of Medicine, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Service, General Hospital of Concepcion. Chile

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Published

2026-06-23

Data Availability Statement

Data are available from the authors on reasonable request.

Issue

Vol. 31 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Reviews

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Copyright (c) 2026 Ilson Sepúlveda, Arístides A. Capizzano, Francisco Rivas-Rodriguez, Sergio Castillo

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How to Cite

Sepúlveda, I., Capizzano, A., Rivas-Rodriguez, F., & Castillo, S. (2026). Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery as Incidental Finding and Associated to Dysphagia. A series of Cases and Review of the Literature. Swiss Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 31(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.59667/sjoranm.v31i1.14

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