Adult-onset dysphagia lusoria from an uncommon vascular ring: a case report and review of the literature

Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2009 Feb-Mar;43(1):100-2. doi: 10.1177/1538574408323503. Epub 2008 Sep 30.

Abstract

Vascular rings are a rare cause of symptoms in adult patients. We report the case of a 48-year-old woman presenting with dysphagia lusoria due to an uncommon vascular ring: right aortic arch with mirror-image branching and a left ligamentum arteriosum. No previous reports exist of adult-onset dysphagia lusoria attributable to this anatomy. The patient underwent a limited muscle-sparing thoracotomy with division of the ligamentum. The division interrupted the vascular ring and relieved her esophageal compression. The presentation, evaluation, pathophysiology, and treatment of this condition are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aorta, Thoracic / abnormalities*
  • Aorta, Thoracic / pathology
  • Aortic Diseases / complications*
  • Aortic Diseases / congenital
  • Aortic Diseases / pathology
  • Aortic Diseases / surgery
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology*
  • Deglutition Disorders / pathology
  • Deglutition Disorders / surgery
  • Esophageal Stenosis / etiology*
  • Esophageal Stenosis / pathology
  • Esophageal Stenosis / surgery
  • Esophagoscopy
  • Female
  • Gastroscopy
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Middle Aged
  • Thoracotomy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures