Abnormal Aorta and Aortic Branching

Abnormal aorta and aortic branching discusses congenital variants of the aortic arch and great vessel branching. While many of these anomalies are incidental imaging findings in asymptomatic individuals, lesions such as a double aortic arch and right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery produce vascular rings which can cause respiratory or esophageal symptoms. Certain anomalies such as a right aortic arch with mirror image branching are very frequently associated with other congenital cardiac abnormalities. Another common aortic congenital abnormality that may be diagnosed in early adulthood is aortic coarctation, frequently manifesting with upper extremity hypertension. As many of these lesions are first detected on chest radiography, the radiographic appearance and classification of these abnormalities is discussed in detail and supplemented by additional information that can be obtained with CT and MR.