Retroesophageal brachiocephalic artery assessed by magnetic resonance imaging: a case report and literature review

Kommerell's diverticulum of retroesophageal aberrant brachiocephalic artery with right aortic arch in an adult

A retroesophageal aberrant brachiocephalic artery is a very rare congenital aortic arch anomaly. We herein presented a 29-year-old man with right aortic arch, retroesophageal aberrant left brachiocephalic artery, left ligamentum arteriosus, and absent left internal carotid artery. Graft replacement of the descending aorta and anatomical reconstruction of left brachiocephalic artery was successfully performed using a midline sternotomy approach without blood transfusion. We discuss the surgical management for Kommerell's diverticulum.

Anomalous origin of the left brachiocephalic artery in the right aortic arch: Is there a method to the madness?

The anomalous origin of the left brachiocephalic artery in a right sided aortic arch is a rare vascular ring which might lead to esophageal compression. The exact embryological origin of this anomaly is still widely debated. We present an infant who presented with esophageal compression symptoms and review the various hypotheses about the embryological origin of this anomaly.