We describe a rare case of right aortic arch with mirror-image branching and a left ductus arteriosus that form an anomalous
vascular ring. The unusual feature of this symptomatic vascular ring is presence of a left (posterior) circumflex descending
aorta in lieu of an aortic diverticulum which usually represents the posterior element of the vascular ring associated with
right aortic arch and mirror-image branching. This we believe is the seventh reported case of Type 1 right aortic arch and
only the third such case with a left circumflex descending aorta. Accurate diagnosis was made by barium esophagogram and angiocardiogram
and was confirmed surgically. We propose a new theory as to why some vascular rings formed by the right aortic arch are symptomatic
while others are not.
Key words Aortic arch, right - Mirror-image branching - Circumflex aorta - Vascular ring