Left-sided esophageal indentation in right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the structures responsible for the left-sided indentation in right aortic arch (RAA) with aberrant left subclavian artery (ALSA).


METHODS
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed in five patients with RAA with ALSA in whom barium esophagography demonstrated a left-sided defect at the level of the aortic arch.


RESULTS
In four patients, the aortic diverticulum (dorsal aortic root remnant) extended to the left of the esophagus, explaining the left-sided indentation. In one of those four patients, the ALSA contributed to this defect. In only one patient was no patent vascular structure identified to the left of the esophagus, and it was assumed that the ligamentum arteriosum alone produced this defect.


CONCLUSIONS
The aortic diverticulum appears to be an important factor in the production of the left-sided esophageal defect in patients with RAA with ALSA.
Kleinman
P K
PK
Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 06165.
Spevak
M R
MR
Nimkin
K
K
D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000002:abnormalities*; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000002:abnormalities*
D001466:Barium Sulfate