Rare case of dysphagia lusoria due to an anomalous vertebral artery originating from the aortic arch

Dysphagia lusoria is a rare condition characterized by swallowing difficulties due to vascular compression of the esophagus. While most commonly caused by an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), other vascular anomalies can also lead to this condition. We present a unique case of dysphagia lusor...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Abubeker Fedlu Abdela, MD, Natnael Alemu Bezabih, MD, Amir Alwan, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-02-01
Series:Radiology Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043324012287
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850251301573623808
author Abubeker Fedlu Abdela, MD
Natnael Alemu Bezabih, MD
Amir Alwan, MD
author_facet Abubeker Fedlu Abdela, MD
Natnael Alemu Bezabih, MD
Amir Alwan, MD
author_sort Abubeker Fedlu Abdela, MD
collection DOAJ
description Dysphagia lusoria is a rare condition characterized by swallowing difficulties due to vascular compression of the esophagus. While most commonly caused by an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), other vascular anomalies can also lead to this condition. We present a unique case of dysphagia lusoria in a 20-year-old Ethiopian male, caused by a vertebral artery originating anomalously from the aortic arch. The patient presented with a 6-month history of progressive dysphagia, particularly with solid foods. Diagnostic imaging revealed an aberrant right vertebral artery compressing the esophagus. Conservative management, including dietary modifications and swallowing exercises, led to significant symptom improvement. This case highlights the importance of considering rare vascular anomalies in the differential diagnosis of dysphagia, especially in young patients. It also demonstrates the potential effectiveness of conservative management in such cases. This report discusses the clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and management of this rare variant of dysphagia lusoria.
format Article
id doaj-art-1101d191bc4c46b393fd7bba05347192
institution OA Journals
issn 1930-0433
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Radiology Case Reports
spelling doaj-art-1101d191bc4c46b393fd7bba053471922025-08-20T01:57:55ZengElsevierRadiology Case Reports1930-04332025-02-012021179118110.1016/j.radcr.2024.10.121Rare case of dysphagia lusoria due to an anomalous vertebral artery originating from the aortic archAbubeker Fedlu Abdela, MD0Natnael Alemu Bezabih, MD1Amir Alwan, MD2Corresponding author.; Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Radiology, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaAddis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Radiology, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaAddis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Radiology, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaDysphagia lusoria is a rare condition characterized by swallowing difficulties due to vascular compression of the esophagus. While most commonly caused by an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), other vascular anomalies can also lead to this condition. We present a unique case of dysphagia lusoria in a 20-year-old Ethiopian male, caused by a vertebral artery originating anomalously from the aortic arch. The patient presented with a 6-month history of progressive dysphagia, particularly with solid foods. Diagnostic imaging revealed an aberrant right vertebral artery compressing the esophagus. Conservative management, including dietary modifications and swallowing exercises, led to significant symptom improvement. This case highlights the importance of considering rare vascular anomalies in the differential diagnosis of dysphagia, especially in young patients. It also demonstrates the potential effectiveness of conservative management in such cases. This report discusses the clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and management of this rare variant of dysphagia lusoria.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043324012287Dysphagia lusoriaAberrant right subclavian arteryAberrant right vertebral arteryEsophageal compression
spellingShingle Abubeker Fedlu Abdela, MD
Natnael Alemu Bezabih, MD
Amir Alwan, MD
Rare case of dysphagia lusoria due to an anomalous vertebral artery originating from the aortic arch
Radiology Case Reports
Dysphagia lusoria
Aberrant right subclavian artery
Aberrant right vertebral artery
Esophageal compression
title Rare case of dysphagia lusoria due to an anomalous vertebral artery originating from the aortic arch
title_full Rare case of dysphagia lusoria due to an anomalous vertebral artery originating from the aortic arch
title_fullStr Rare case of dysphagia lusoria due to an anomalous vertebral artery originating from the aortic arch
title_full_unstemmed Rare case of dysphagia lusoria due to an anomalous vertebral artery originating from the aortic arch
title_short Rare case of dysphagia lusoria due to an anomalous vertebral artery originating from the aortic arch
title_sort rare case of dysphagia lusoria due to an anomalous vertebral artery originating from the aortic arch
topic Dysphagia lusoria
Aberrant right subclavian artery
Aberrant right vertebral artery
Esophageal compression
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043324012287
work_keys_str_mv AT abubekerfedluabdelamd rarecaseofdysphagialusoriaduetoananomalousvertebralarteryoriginatingfromtheaorticarch
AT natnaelalemubezabihmd rarecaseofdysphagialusoriaduetoananomalousvertebralarteryoriginatingfromtheaorticarch
AT amiralwanmd rarecaseofdysphagialusoriaduetoananomalousvertebralarteryoriginatingfromtheaorticarch