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Identification of aberrant right subclavian artery on MR images of the cervical spine
Author(s) -
Easterbrook James S.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.1880020507
Subject(s) - medicine , sagittal plane , vertebral artery , radiology , magnetic resonance imaging , cervical spine , aortic arch , dysphagia , esophagus , subclavian artery , anatomy , cervical vertebrae , aorta , surgery
Nine cases of aberrant right subclavian artery were identified after review of 674 magnetic resonance (MR) studies of the cervical spine. This common aortic arch anomaly is readily identified on sagittal MR images. All vessels were found in the typical retroesophageal location, abutting the esophagus from the vertebral C‐7 to T‐3 levels. Arterial flow created signal voids on T1‐weighted images and confirmatory increased signal intensity due to flowrelated enhancement on gradient‐echo images. This anomaly should be recognized and distinguished from pathologic processes in the prevertebral space. The diagnosis may allay patient concern regarding their dysphagia and also have important ramifications in certain clinical settings.