Open AccessPrimary aortoduodenal fistula: A case report
Author(s) -
Abdu Hassan Alzobydi,
Shaista Salman Guraya
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v19.i3.415
Subject(s) - medicine , exploratory laparotomy , aortoenteric fistula , abdominal aortic aneurysm , surgery , fistula , laparotomy , upper gastrointestinal bleeding , gastrointestinal bleeding , abdominal computed tomography , radiology , rare disease , general surgery , aneurysm , disease , endoscopy
Primary abdominoaortic fistula is an extremely rare cause of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The diagnosis is frequently delayed due to the rarity of the disease and low index of suspicion by physicians. A range of invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tools are available, but helical computer tomography (CT) remains the mainstay. Surgery offers the only hope for survival. This case report presents a 47-year-old male with massive upper GI bleeding. Various diagnostic tests and an exploratory laparotomy failed to identify the diagnosis. Later, a primary aortoduodenal fistula was confirmed by CT scan which necessitated surgical repair of the fistula and a Goretex graft for the abdominal aortic aneurysm. The patient made an uneventful recovery and remained well to the first postoperative visit in the clinic 2 wk after surgery.