Aberrant right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria) as a rare cause of dysphagia and dyspnea in a 79-year old women with right mediastinal and retrotracheal mass, and co-existing coronary artery disease

A rare case of a 79-year old women with dysphagia and dyspnea secondary to compression of the esophagus by an abet-rant right subclavian artery (ARSA, A. lusoria) is presented. This abnormality is generally silent and often a n incidental x-ray finding. Computed tomography, and intraarterial angiogra phy, including direct catheterization of the ARSA, established the diagnosi s. The interdependence with a co-existing coronary artery disease is discus sed. Thus, ARSA has to be taken into account in patients with abnormal x-ra y findings presenting with dysphagia and dyspnea.