Esophageal dysmotility and dysphagia are well known in patients with scleroderma. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in these patients is an indication for lung transplantation but is considered high risk in many centers. This report is an attempt to highlight how anatomical causes can contribute to dysphagia in such patients and complicate the post-operative course after lung transplantation. Such a finding is uncommon in this subset of patients and use of suitable imaging can help in arriving at the diagnosis. We present a patient following lung transplantation for scleroderma related ILD with an aberrant right subclavian artery compressing the esophagus in a vice like grip. Imaging is the key to prompt diagnosis and management.
Keywords: Aberrant right subclavian artery; Esophageal compression; Feeding difficulties; Lung transplantation.
© Indian Association of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgeons 2022.