Aortic Dissection Involving an Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery Studied by Aortography

A case is reported of an aberrant right subclavian artery detected at aortography following its involvement in a dissecting aneurysm commencing in the adjacent aortic arch, an example of a small group unrecognized until complicated by acquired disease. The clinical features are discussed briefly and the absence of tracheo-oesophageal compression at any stage emphasized. Implication of the brachiocephalic branches is noted to be uncommon in such a distally originating aortic dissection. The aorto-graphic findings are described in detail; particular reference is made to a double radio-lucent line in the anomalous vessel related to marked circumferential involvement and to the value of an additional projection in elucidating this and other features.