Prawostronny łuk aorty : opis dwóch przypadków

Bibliogr. s. 86

Background: A right aortic arch (RAA) is a rare congenital abnormality not always clinically manifested. The most common symptoms include dysphagia, dyspnoea on exertion, stridor, and bronchitis, resulting from a vascular ring around the trachea or esophagus. Asymptomatic cases may be viewed in adulthood. Case report: The report presents two cases of RAA found coincidentally in adult patients diagnosed using conventional chest X- ray and computed tomography (CT). Case 1 presents an abnormal course of the aortic arch, first manifested as dyspnoea in adulthood. Case 2 presents RAA with the right subclavian artery as a separate branch associated with an abnormal course of the left subclavian artery. Asymptomatic esophageal compression was also found. The abnormality was accompanied by numerous atherosclerotic lesions in peripheral vessels. Abnormal blood flow conditions might have contributed to a faster progression of atherosclerosis. Conclusions: RAA may remain asymptomatic for the entire life. Symptoms are caused by compression of the surrounding structures or impaired blood flow. RAA may be associated with malformations of its branches.