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Extraordinary branching pattern of the aortic arch
Dominik Wiedemann1, Alfred Kocher, Stephane Mahr
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Vienna Medical University, Vienna, Austria.
Clinical Anatomy (New York, N.Y.)
|January 29, 2013
Summary
A CT scan revealed an aortic aneurysm in a 75-year-old patient. Unusual aortic arch branching patterns, including an aberrant left carotid artery, were also noted.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular imaging
- Anatomical variations
- Thoracic surgery
Background:
- A 75-year-old patient presented with a descending aortic aneurysm (4.8 cm) involving the left subclavian artery.
- The patient had severe comorbidities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, necessitating conservative management.
Observation:
- Computed tomography (CT) revealed an unusual aortic arch branching pattern.
- A left carotid artery originated from the ascending aorta and crossed anterior to the trachea.
- The patient lacked a brachiocephalic trunk; the right carotid artery arose from the aortic arch anterior to the right subclavian artery.
Findings:
- The left subclavian artery appeared to originate from the descending aorta, not the aortic arch.
- This case highlights significant anatomical variations in aortic arch and its branches.
- The identified aortic aneurysm required conservative treatment due to patient comorbidities.
Implications:
- Understanding these rare anatomical variations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and surgical planning in cardiovascular procedures.
- Such variations can impact the interpretation of imaging studies and the approach to thoracic interventions.
- This case underscores the importance of detailed anatomical assessment in patients with aortic pathologies.
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