Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Technical Aspects of the Mouse Aortocaval Fistula
Published on: July 11, 2013
Detection of an aortoenteric fistula in a patient with intermittent bleeding
Bülent Odemiş1, Omer Başar, Ibrahim Ertuğrul
1Department of Gastroenterology, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Training Hospital, Diskapi, Ankara, Turkey.
Background:
A 57-year-old male with an aortobifemoral bypass graft presented to a gastroenterology clinic with a 3-month history of intermittent hematemesis, melena and fever. The patient had received antibiotic therapy 2 months before for the same symptoms; however, following brief regression ( approximately 3 weeks) the symptoms had returned.
Investigations:
Physical examination; analysis of full blood count; measurement of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein levels, liver enzymes, electrolytes, renal function, serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride; HIV serology; blood, sputum, urine and stool culture analysis; performance of esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography and multidetector CT scanning.
Diagnosis:
Aortoenteric fistula with an inflammatory mass surrounding the aortobifemoral bypass graft.
Management:
Laparotomy with removal of the aortobifemoral bypass graft, performance of an extra-anatomic right axillofemoral bypass graft and an extra-anatomic right-left femorofemoral bypass graft.
Related Concept Videos
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Aneurysm I: Introduction
Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation
The abdominal examination is a cornerstone of clinical medicine, serving as a critical tool in diagnosing various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It involves a systematic approach that includes inspection and auscultation, each with distinct yet complementary roles in assessing the abdomen. This article will delve into these two primary methods healthcare professionals use to examine the abdomen.
Inspection of the Abdomen
The first step in any abdominal examination is inspection.
