Dysphagia Lusoria: A Little Known Cause of Chest Pain

Cureus. 2021 Dec 1;13(12):e20085. doi: 10.7759/cureus.20085. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Dysphagia lusoria is a congenital abnormality characterized by an aberrant right subclavian artery. It often presents as either an incidental finding on imaging or chronic dysphagia. We describe the case of a 66-year-old female who presented with severe chest pain, worse with swallowing, along with an ongoing globus sensation. She was found to have a negative cardiac workup for ischemia with a subsequent computed tomography angiogram (CTA) of the chest showing an abnormal right subclavian artery. We emphasize the unique diagnostic approach of this rare anatomical anomaly and its potential presentation that worsens with deglutition.

Keywords: aberrant; dysphagia; lusoria; subclavian artery; vascular.

Publication types

  • Case Reports