Background: Right sided arcus aorta (RSAA) is a rare condition that is usually asymptomatic. Patients may present with exertional dyspnea and chronic cough. A recent article suggested that RSAA should be included in the differential diagnosis of asthma, especially in patients with intractable exertional dyspnea. We aimed to present the clinical, radiologic and spirometric features of thirteen patients with RSAA observed in four years at the Rize Education and Research Hospital and Samsun Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Hospital. Methods: The characteristics of patients with RSAA, including age, gender, symptoms, radiologic and spirometric findings, were retrospectively evaluated. Results: A total of thirteen patients were diagnosed with RSAA. Their ages ranged from 17 to 86 years and the male to female ratio was 11:2. Seven of the patients (54%) were symptomatic. The most common symptoms were exertional dyspnea, dysphagia and chronic cough. Five patients had received treatment for asthma with bronchodilators. Spirometry showed intrathoracic tracheal obstruction in five patients. Conclusions: The RSAA anomaly occurs more frequently than might be estimated from the number of patients who are detected. Patients with intractable exertional dyspnea and chronic cough should be evaluated for the RSAA anomaly by thoracic CT.

Right-sided arcus aorta (RSAA) syndrome was new defined in patients with chronic chough and exertional dyspnea. The new six patients with RSAA syndrome were diagnosed in Samsun Medicalpark Hospital, Department of Pulmonary Medicine between July 2012 and December 2013. The ages of the patients ranged from 4 to 78 years and the male to female ratio was 4/2. Three patients were symptomatic due to external compression of the trachea due to right aortic arch. The most common symptoms were exertional dyspnea and chronic cough. In conclusion, in this study, the RSAA syndrome is supported with new patients. We think that it is more common than estimated and all patients with exertional dyspnea and chronic cough should be evaluated for the RSAA syndrome. This syndrome should be considered and can be determined in all age groups.