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Ingested chicken bone leading to aorto-esophageal fistula
Nawaf J Shatnawi1, Kamal E Bani-Hani
1Department of Surgery, King Abdullah University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Saudi Medical Journal
|September 13, 2005
Summary
A rare case of aorto-esophageal fistula caused by a chicken bone led to massive bleeding. Despite surgery, the patient did not survive, highlighting the need for high suspicion in diagnosing this catastrophic condition.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Vascular Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Aorto-esophageal fistula is a rare and life-threatening condition.
- It can result from foreign body ingestion, leading to severe gastrointestinal bleeding.
Observation:
- A 38-year-old male presented with massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
- The cause was identified as an aorto-esophageal fistula from ingesting a chicken wing bone 10 days prior.
Findings:
- The patient underwent salvage thoraco-laparotomy for the condition.
- Despite surgical intervention, the patient unfortunately died.
Implications:
- Primary aorto-esophageal fistula is often missed preoperatively.
- Early diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion to improve survival chances.
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