Dysphagia Lusoria Caused by an Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery: Vascular Ring

The most common embryological abnormality of the aortic arch is an aberrant right subclavian artery, which occurs in 0.5% to 1.8% of the population. Normally, this anomaly causes no symptoms, but sometimes it can produce a vascular ring. We had two severely symptomatic children with dysphagia and cough from early infancy. They underwent surgery via left thoracotomy and division of the aberrant right subclavian artery, releasing it from behind the esophagus. The patients had a good postoperative course and tolerated a regular diet without further symptoms of dysphagia.