Dysphagia lusoria: when diagnosis hides in the anatomy

Abstract

Dysphagia lusoria is a condition in which difficulty swallowing is related to a congenital anomaly of the subclavian artery, most commonly the right one, resulting in compression of the esophagus. Although rare, it is the most frequent cause of vascular-origin dysphagia. The severity of symptoms ranges from mild to severe, depending on the degree of compression. Diagnosis requires imaging tests such as CT angiography, MRI, or barium esophagogram to identify the aberrant artery and its relationship with the esophagus. Treatment varies according to severity, from dietary modifications to surgery to ligate or reposition the aberrant subclavian artery in order to relieve the compression.

Keywords: dysphagia lusoria, congenital anomaly, esophageal compression.