AN ADULT CASE OF COMPLETE DOUBLE AORTIC ARCH PRESENTING WITH A STENOSIS OF ESOPHAGUS

Double aortic arch is a rare vascular deformity, particularly in adults. In Japan only 11 adult cases have been reported and 3 of the 11 were subjected to operation. A 27-year-old man complaining of dysphagia was found to have a pressed esophagus from the right back by esophagraphy. CT of the chest revealed double aortic arch, of which bilateral arches were patent, and the residual left superior aorta. In surgery left inferior side thoracotomy was carried out. Under an observation that the left aortic arch was slightly thinner than the right, the left arch was removed. Postoperative course was uneventful with a remarkable remission in dysphagia. No definite operative appropriateness for adult double aortic arch is decided as yet. However, it is considered that the aging accompanied by arterioscrelosis might have symptoms worsened and increase surgical risks. In a younger patient having severe symptoms like this case, operative treatment is recommendable.