Recurrent obscure gastrointestinal bleeding caused by aorto-enteric fistula

Aorto-enteric fistulas are rare but serious clinical conditions that may arise as a complication following abdominal aortic surgery. Clinical symptoms in affected patients range from obscure recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding and intermittent unexplained fever attacks to fulminant hematochezia and rapid exsanguination. A high degree of clinical alertness and suspicion is critical for both accurate diagnosis and timely surgical therapy in these patients. This case report describes a patient who was referred to our department six months after abdominal aortic surgery. The patient presented with septic illness and episodes of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Diagnostic work-up revealed a retroperitoneal infection of the aortic graft. A false aneurysm led to recurrent duodenal bleeding, which was accompanied by perforation of the obliterated aortic graft into the cecum. After immediate surgical repair, the patient recovered and continues to do well. We present a brief review of the current literature on this entity, outlining different surgical strategies and their outcomes.