In 1936, Burckhard Friedrich Kommerell first described an aberrant right subclavian artery originating from the descending thoracic aorta of a left-sided arch and associated with persistence of a remnant of the right dorsal aorta. This now called Kommerell’s diverticulum consists of both an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta and an aneurismal orifice of the aberrant subclavian artery [1]. Right-sided aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery originating from a Kommerell’s diverticulum is an uncommon arch abnormality seen in about 0.05% of the general population [2]; it is usually asymptomatic and incidentally detected. Symptoms in adults often result from early atherosclerotic changes in the anomalous vessels, and/or dissection or aneurismal dilatation with compression of surrounding structures [3]. Computed tomography (CT) now allows three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of multiple organs, as exemplified in this case report of a patient with right-sided aortic arch and multiple vascular anomalies. This information is relevant to symptom follow-up and treatment.

A 20-year old man was referred to the Department of Cardiology for assessment of a vascular abnormality incidentally detected in a CT scan obtained by the Otorhinolaryngology Department during pre-operative assessment for chronic otitis media. Other than otalgia, the patient reported no symptoms, including dysphagia or dyspnea. Physical examination revealed regular heart sounds without cardiac murmur. CT angiography with a 128-slice multi-detector scanner was performed for definitive diagnosis and comprehensive definition of thoracic anatomy. Multi-directional analysis of reconstructed 3D images of the thoracic aorta and its branches and of the trachea and esophagus (Figure 1) demonstrated that the trachea traveled inside the aortic ring and that the esophagus was between the distal aortic arch and a Kommerell’s diverticulum. Three large branches, left common carotid artery, right common carotid artery and right subclavian artery originated separately from the proximal aorta in said order. The left subclavian artery separately arose from a Kommerell’s diverticulum, a remnant of the left fourth aortic arch. In addition, the right and left coronary arteries aberrantly arose above the sinus of Valsalva (Figure 2A). The posterolateral branch of the right coronary artery drained directly into the coronary sinus (Figure 2B) as confirmed by coronary angiography (Figure 2C). Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed that the esophagus was compressed by a pulsating external structure, namely the Kommerell’s diverticulum seen on CT angiography (Figure 2D). Aneurismal diameter was about 4.3 mm. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed an echo-free structure (1.38 × 1.55 cm sized) with abnormal continuous flow in the posterolateral side between left ventricle and atrium, that was suggested an enlarged coronary sinus with coronary fistula. But, another anomalies of heart were not detected. The patient had no symptoms related to the aforementioned vascular anomalies; careful follow-up for symptoms and aneurismal complications was recommended.

A right-sided aortic arch results from persistence of the right fourth aortic arch with suppression of the corresponding left vessels [4]. The classification of Felson and Palayew offers an anatomically sensible distinction between two variants clinically differing in presentation, associations, and prognosis [5]. Type 1, in which the left subclavian artery originates together with the left common carotid artery, or just proximal to it, is the mirror image of normal anatomy. In approximately 75% of these patients, cyanotic congenital anomalies (including tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary stenosis with ventricular septal defects, tricuspid atresia, and truncus arteriosus) are present. Type 2 is associated with an aberrant left subclavian artery arising either as the last branch of the right-sided aortic arch or from an aortic diverticulum, known as a Kommerell’s diverticulum, which is a remnant of the left dorsal aortic arch. Type 2 is more common than type 1, and congenital heart anomalies are present in only 5% to 10%. The type 2 right-sided aortic arch is the variant form in the case presented here.

As previously mentioned, Kommerell’s diverticulum may cause symptoms of tracheal or esophageal compression, such as dysphagia, dyspnea, stridor, wheezing, cough, choking spells, or chest pain [3]. However, right-sided aortic arch may be asymptomatic [6]. Our patient did not experience symptoms related to compression even though the esophagus was compressed by the Kommerell’s diverticulum.

A right-sided aortic arch can present with a number of vascular anomalies of the aortic arch system [7]. In this patient, the right-sided aortic arch had multiple vascular variations including anomalous origin of left subclavian artery from a Kommerell’s diverticulum, supra-sinus origin of coronary arteries and coronary arteriovenous fistula. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with multiple vascular anomalies, such as coronary arteriovenous fistula in this setting.

Most symptoms requiring surgery are secondary to compression of the trachea or esophagus by the aberrant vascular structures [8]. Therefore, a meticulous analysis of vascular structure using 3D CT angiography is useful not only to define multiple combined vascular anomalies but also to demonstrate their relationships with the trachea and esophagus [9]. In addition, imaging with 3D reconstructions of the aorta can improve accuracy of diagnosis of multiple vascular anomalies and facilitate endovascular or surgical planning.

Comprehensive imaging with 3D reconstructions could be the gold standard for detecting multiple vascular malformations and understanding relationships with adjacent structures in these patients.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and the accompanying images. A copy of the written consent form is available for review by the Editor of this journal.