Aberrant subclavian artery

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Aberrant subclavian artery, or aberrant subclavian artery syndrome refers to 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. The aberrant artery usually arises just distal to the left subclavian artery and passes posterior to the mediastinum on its way to the right upper extremity. Such course of this aberrant vessel may cause a vascular ring around a mediastinal structure.

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 Kummerel.

Images shown below are courtesy of RadsWiki and copylefted

• Goldminer: Aberrant right subclavian artery

• Moss and Adams’ Heart Disease in Infants, Children, and Adolescents Hugh D. Allen, Arthur J. Moss, David J. Driscoll, Forrest H. Adams, Timothy F. Feltes, Robert E. Shaddy, 2007 ISBN 0781786843

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