Rare Branching Variants of Arch of Aorta - A Case Series

Aortic arch branching anomalies encompass a wide spectrum of aortic arch malformations due to altered embryogenesis of branchial arches. Although most of these variants are asymptomatic, knowledge about such vascular variations is of utmost importance in the context of operative and interventional procedures of the thorax and head and neck region. Here we describe three rare patterns of aortic arch branching variants which were detected incidentally when contrast enhanced CT scans were acquired for unrelated indications ? namely, right sided aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery arising from Kommerell diverticulum, truncus bicaroticus with aberrant right subclavian artery and bovine arch with aberrant left vertebral artery from arch of aorta. Knowledge of these anatomical variations can aid in diagnosis of their possible complications, and help predict technical difficulties while planning surgical and interventional procedures.