Open AccessEnigma of primary aortoduodenal fistula
Author(s) -
Miklosh Bala,
Jacob Sosna,
Liat Appelbaum,
Eran Israeli,
Avraham I. Rivkind
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.15.3191
Subject(s) - aortoenteric fistula , medicine , abdominal aortic aneurysm , context (archaeology) , gastrointestinal bleeding , fistula , abdominal aorta , aneurysm , surgery , upper gastrointestinal bleeding , aortic aneurysm , aorta , radiology , endoscopy , paleontology , biology
A diagnosis of primary aortoenteric fistula is difficult to make despite a high level of clinical suspicion. It should be considered in any elderly patient who presents with upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the context of a known abdominal aortic aneurysm. We present the case of young man with no history of abdominal aortic aneurysm who presented with massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Initial misdiagnosis led to a delay in treatment and the patient succumbing to the illness. This case is unique in that the fistula formed as a result of complex atherosclerotic disease of the abdominal aorta, and not from an aneurysm.