A Case of Dysphagia Lusoria / 대한소화관운동학회지

ABSTRACT

Dysphagia lusoria (swallowing difficulty due to trick of nature) is used to describe the symptomatic compression of the esophagus from any anomalous vessel of aortic arch. Aberrant subclavian artery, the most common anomaly of aortic arch can cause dysphagia lusoria by its direct compression of the esophagus or its aneurysmal dilatation. Patient with dysphagia lusoria can be treated with dietary modification, medications (antireflux drugs, prokinetics) in early symptomatic phase, and with surgical correction (via thoracic or extrathoracic approach) in late symptomatic phase or selective cases. We experienced a case of 44-year-old man who suffered from progressive swallowing difficulty for solid foods. We evaluated the possible causes of motor or mechanical dysphagia by esophageal manometry, esophagography, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and chest computerized tomography. We finally diagnosed this case as dysphagia lusoria due to group 3 aberrant left subclavian artery.