Aim:
Aberrant subclavian artery (ASA) anomalies are the most common aortic arch malformations. Incidence of these malformations increases with widespread use of computed tomography (CT). Our aim in this study was to investigate the relationship between ASA malformations, gender, age and reasons for admission, and arcus aorta (AA), ASA diameters and AA/ASA diameter ratios.
Materials and Methods:
A total 74 patients with ASA were evaluated by thorax CT retrospectively. Patients were divided into aberrant right (ARSA) and left (ALSA) subclavian artery groups. Age, gender, reasons for application, ASA and AA diameters and AA/ASA ratios were evaluated between the groups. Correlations of ASA and AA diameters with age were also evaluated.
Results:
70 of the patients (94.5%) had ARSA, 4 of the patients (5.4%) had ALSA. There was no statistical relationship between gender (p=0.394), age (p=0.443) and reasons for application (p=0.322) between groups. There was no statistical relationship between ASA diameter (p=0.127), AA diameter (p=0.728) and AA/ASA ratio (p=0.339) between groups. There was weak positive correlation with age and diameter of AA (r=0.379, p=0.001), but not with ASA diameter (p=0.059). Moderate positive correlation (r=0.573, p<0.001) was detected between diameters of AA and ASA.
Conclusion:
ASA malformations are the most common incidentally detected malformations with increased use of CT. These malformations are not related to age, gender and reasons for application.
Keywords: Vascular malformation, computed tomography, x-ray, aortic arch, subclavian artery