Minithoracotomy oesophagectomy for oesophageal carcinoma with aberrant right subclavian artery: a rare case of dysphagia

BACKGROUND: Aberrant R/subclavian artery is a rare congenital anomaly involving aortic arch. Oesophageal carcinoma with associated aberrant R/subclavian artery is very rare and only few cases has been reported in literature. If unrecognized and injured during oesophageal surgery, it can lead to disastrous complications. When associated with oesophageal carcinoma, it can cause diagnostic confusion as the symptoms are similar. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60 year old previously healthy female presented with intermittent dysphagia, odynophagia and loss of weight of 3 months duration. She was found to have a oeophageal carcinoma with incidentally co-existing aberrant R/subclavian artery. CONCLUSION: Although rare this entity should be considered as a differential diagnosis in a patient with dysphagia. In addition, pre-operative identification is important to prevent intra operative vascular complications. The diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition is discussed in this article.