Incidence of Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery in General Population

Objective: The existence of an anomalous right subclavian artery is the most significant aortic arch defect. Dysphagia, wheezing, stridor, and other symptoms may occur if this vessel pressures the neighbouring structures. The goal of this study is to find out how common ARSA is based on CT scans of the thorax and neck (plain and contrast).

Method: Between January 1st and December 31st, 2020, 1122 patients had CT Thorax/neck scans, and the data were evaluated. The origin of the ARSA, the vessel's path, and the Kommerell diverticulum were all assessed. We looked at the literature to see how important ARSA is in clinical practise.

Results: ARSA was found in eight of 1122 patients. All of the ARSAs in these eight individuals began at the posterior part of the aortic arch and travelled via the retroesophageal path to the thoracic outlet. All eight ARSA were found in the front part of the thoracic vertebral bodies, from the first to the fourth.

Conclusion: Other clinical symptoms such as dysphagia, dyspnea, retrosternal discomfort, cough, and weight loss must be differentiated from compression of surrounding tissues by an abnormal right subclavian artery.