The importance of recognizing a cervical origin of the right subclavian artery

Cervical origin of the right subclavian artery is rare and is associated with DiGeorge syndrome. During total thyroidectomy and right lateral neck dissection for metastatic thyroid cancer in a 26-year-old female, the right subclavian artery was found to be cervical in origin. This was identifiable on preoperative computerized tomography. Screening for DiGeorge syndrome and other cardiovascular abnormalities in this patient was negative. However, all reported cases of this right subclavian artery anomaly tested positive for DiGeorge syndrome. Cervical origin of the right subclavian artery may present in the absence of DiGeorge syndrome. Laryngoscope, 126:2497–2499, 2016.