title: An aberrant subclavian artery exhibiting the partial steal phenomenon in a patient with VACTERL association.
abstract: We herein report the case of a 22-year-old Caucasian man with known vertebral defects, anal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia, cardiac defects, renal and limb anomalies (VACTERL) association who presented with a headache and vertigo following the sudden and temporary loss of consciousness while attending a concert four days before admission to the hospital. On a physical examination, the following findings were found: a low body height, low-set ears, thoracic scoliosis and a mild holosystolic heart murmur. A neurosonological examination revealed a partial subclavian steal phenomenon. CT angiography of the neck vessels and aortic arch confirmed an anomalous right subclavian artery -known as the lusorian artery. Further studies are warranted in patients with VACTERL in order to identify possible links between the prevalence of an aberrant right subclavian artery (lusorian artery) and possible congenital subclavian steal syndrome or dysphagia lusoria. In addition, duplex ultrasound of the carotid and vertebral arteries may be performed as part of screening examinations in patients with congenital syndromes.
authors.affiliation: Stroke and Intensive Care Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital "Sveti Duh", Croatia.
authors.forename: Hrvoje
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Budincevic
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Starcevic
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bielen
authors.forename: Vida
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Demarin
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000002:abnormalities*; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018376:Cardiovascular Abnormalities / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004947:Esophagus / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities*; D017880:Limb Deformities, Congenital / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013131:Spine / Q000002:abnormalities*; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013349:Subclavian Steal Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000002:abnormalities*; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult