J Cardiovasc Ultrasound.  2013 Mar;21(1):30-32. 10.4250/jcu.2013.21.1.30.

A Case of Kommerell's Diverticulum Initially Detected by Transesophageal Echocardiography

Affiliations
  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. grhong@yuhs.ac

Abstract

Kommerell's diverticulum is a rare congenital disorder characterized by typical right sided aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery which are usually detected by accident in asymptomatic patients. However, some of patients complain of severe symptoms caused by compression of the adjacent organs or complicated aortic dissection by the diverticulum. Early detection of the disease can lead to elective surgical correction. In this article, we report a Kommerell's diverticulum case initially detected by transesophageal echocardiography.

Keyword

Kommerell's diverticulum; Transesophageal echocardiography; Right sided aortic arch

MeSH Terms

Aneurysm
Aorta, Thoracic
Cardiovascular Abnormalities
Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities
Deglutition Disorders
Diverticulum
Echocardiography, Transesophageal
Humans
Subclavian Artery
Aneurysm
Cardiovascular Abnormalities
Deglutition Disorders
Subclavian Artery

Figure

  • Fig. 1 A: Transverse view at descending thoracic aorta (DTA) level. Echo-free space with bulbous shape (arrows) is noted at the posterior aspect of the DTA. B: Longitudinal view presenting outpouching space from the DTA with blood flow connection revealed by Doppler study.

  • Fig. 2 A: Computed tomography (CT) axial view showing right sided aortic arch. B: Aberrant left subclavian artery (LSCA) arising from the Kommerell's diverticulum (arrow) on axial view. C: CT angiogram coronal view showing Kommerell's diverticulum with aberrant LSCA (arrow). Ao: aortic arch, KD: Kommerell's diverticulum.

  • Fig. 3 Contrast angiography showing aberrant left subclavian artery (arrow) arising from the Kommerell's diverticulum. KD: Kommerell's diverticulum.


Reference

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