Case Report: Beware of arteria lusoria: a potential risk factor in esophagectomy surgery

TL;DR

This case report highlights the surgical risks of esophagectomy in patients with an unusual blood vessel called the lusoria artery.

Contribution

The paper presents a rare case of esophageal cancer with an arteria lusoria and emphasizes its surgical implications.

Findings

ARSA is rare but more common in Down-syndrome individuals.

ARSA can significantly increase surgical risks during esophagectomy.

Thorough preoperative imaging is crucial for identifying ARSA.

Abstract

The aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), also known as lusoria artery, is a relatively rare vascular malformation influencing 0.6% to 1.4% of the population, and this figure elevates exponentially to 26%–34% among Down-syndrome individuals. However, few cases are available on esophageal cancer associated with ARSA. Here, we report a 30-year-old male esophageal cancer patient with arteria lusoria, which elevated surgical risks in esophagectomy. We reviewed the key points of anatomy and further complications to understand this vascular anomaly in esophagectomy. This report aims to raise awareness among thoracic surgeons and radiologists about the importance of thorough preoperative assessment and the unique challenges posed by ARSA in esophageal cancer surgery.

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