Presentation
SAH ?Vasospasm. CTA was performed.
Patient Data
Variant aortic arch anatomy with the right subclavian, right common carotid and left subclavian arteries arising from a common trunk.
ETT and NGT in situ.
Case Discussion
This is a rare variant of aortic arch anatomy with only two vessels arising from the arch - the brachiocephalic artery and immediately distally (left) to it, the left common carotid artery. The left subclavian artery arises from the right subclavian artery and passes between the esophagus and the spine to assume its "normal" course and branching pattern.
This case is different from the typical "aberrant left subclavian artery" which is the left subclavian artery arising as the fourth branch from a right-sided aortic arch (analogous to the aberrant right subclavian artery arising from a left-sided arch).