title: [Aneurysm of the subclavian artery. An unusual cause of dysphagia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dysphagia may be due to oral, pharyngeal or esophageal dysfunction and poses a frequent problem for the otolaryngologist. Motor disturbances, structural disorders, functional problems, congenital lesions and malignancies have to be excluded in an interdisciplinary diagnostic approach. Currently, vascular diseases play a minor role in the diagnosis of dysphagia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 70-year-old female presented with constant dysphagia and a foreign body feeling in the throat of about 2 months duration. Palpation and ultrasound revealed a tumor situated in the right supraclavicular region. The lesion was identified as a true aneurysm of the subclavian artery by digital subtraction angiography. Successful resection and reconstruction was accomplished using a PTFE graft.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aneurysms of the subclavian artery are rare and in most cases related to thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) or arteriosclerosis. It can be assumed that an increasingly aged population will present with an increasing incidence of diseases related to atherosclerosis. Moreover, the increasing incidence of specific infections may contribute to this phenomenon. This neglected disease should be included in the differential diagnosis when dealing with supraclavicular lesions, foreign body feeling or dysphagia.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenkrankheiten, Kopf-, Hals- und Plastische Gesichtschirurgie, Malteser-Krankenhaus St. Anna, Duisburg. jwindfuhr@aol.com
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Windfuhr
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schubert
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Remmert
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene