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Revista Española de Enfermedades Digestivas

versión impresa ISSN 1130-0108

Rev. esp. enferm. dig. vol.110 no.3 Madrid mar. 2018

https://dx.doi.org/10.17235/reed.2018.5385/2017 

PICTURES IN PATOLOGY DIGESTIVE

Dysphagia lusoria: a little-known cause of dysphagia

Catarina Atalaia-Martins1  , Cláudia Gonçalves1  , Isabel Cotrim1  , Vitor Pardal2 

1Departments of Gastroenterology. Centro Hospitalar Leiria. Portugal

2 Departments of Radiology. Centro Hospitalar Leiria. Portugal

CASE REPORT

An 82-year-old female was referred for the evaluation of progressive esophageal dysphagia of a six month duration, with a recent weight loss of 10% of the normal corporal weight over a six month period. The patient reported solid food dysphagia that required liquids to facilitate food progression and denied food impaction. An upper endoscopy revealed an extrinsic impression in the upper esophagus at 25 centimeters from the incisors. A barium esophagram identified contour irregularity of the upper esophagus caused by an extrinsic compression above the aortic arch (Fig. 1). Thoracic computed tomography (CT) showed an aberrant right subclavian artery arising as the fourth branch of the aortic arch (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) with a retroesophageal course from left to right, which compressed the esophagus and caused a moderate reduction of the esophageal caliber. These findings were compatible with a diagnosis of dysphagia lusoria. The patient refused a referral for surgery and was advised about dietary modifications. After three months, she had a favorable evolution with a symptomatic improvement and weight stabilization.

Fig. 1 Barium esophagram showing a supra-aortic esophageal compression. 

Fig. 2 Aberrant right subclavian artery arising as the fourth branch of the aortic arch on thoracic CT. 

Fig. 3 Thoracic CT tridimensional reconstruction showing an aberrant right subclavian artery. 

DISCUSSION

Dysphagia lusoria is caused by compression of the arteria lusoria, an aberrant right subclavian artery. It is usually asymptomatic but can become symptomatic in the case of a compression of the esophagus or the trachea, in the presence of an aberrant subclavian artery aneurysm and with advanced age. This is possibly due to atherosclerotic hardening or fibromuscular dysplasia of the arteries 1. Mild to moderate symptoms are often treated with a dietary modification 2. In case of severe or persistent symptoms, surgical intervention is required to remove the aberrant vessel and reconstruct the vascular supply. In addition, less invasive techniques are now available, such as vascular endoprosthesis and endovascular occlusion. The initial results of these procedures are promising 3.

REFERENCES

1. Myers PO, Fasel JHD, Kalangos A, et al. Arteria lusoria: Developmental anatomy, clinical, radiological and surgical aspects. Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris) 2010;59(3):147-54. DOI: 10.1016/j.ancard.2009.07.008 [ Links ]

2. Levitt B, Richter JE. Dysphagia lusoria: A comprehensive review. Dis Esophagus 2007:455-60. DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-2050.2007.00787.x [ Links ]

3. Jalal H, El Idrissi R, Azghari A, et al. Dysphagia lusoria: Report of a series of six cases. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2014;38(3):e45-9. [ Links ]

Correspondence: Catarina Atalaia-Martins. e-mail: catarinatalaiamartins@gmail.com