[Modern interdisciplinary management of a uretero-iliac artery fistula (case report)]

Abnormal links between the arterial system and other luminal systems are a challenge to those in charge of their adequate diagnostic and therapeutic management.

Scientific case report on an individual who underwent successful treatment combining vascular-surgical and interventional radiology techniques for a rare right uretero-iliac artery fistula based on personal clinical experience, a selective literature research and a detailed discussion of current recommendations for diagnostic workup and subsequent treatment.

A 79-year-old patient was admitted with haematuria : and bladder tamponade : in the presence of bilateral actinic ureteral strictures secondary to neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy followed by abdominoperineal rectum exstirpation due to suprasphincteric rectal cancer (ypT3ypN0M0). Laboratory tests revealed anaemia; transabdominal ultrasound demonstrated bilateral urinary retention. A complementary CT scan did not reveal any manifest bleeding resulting from intermittent haemorrhage.

Initially, the bladder haematoma was removed and ureteral catheters were changed. Due to endoluminal bleeding in the right ureter, a combined procedure was initiated, involving a vascular-surgical approach (access to the right femoral artery, ultimate disobliteration and intimal refixation in the right superficial femoral artery due to dissection) and an interventional radiology approach (insertion of an Amplatzer [AMPLATZER™Vascular Plug II; St. Jude Medical, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA] into the right internal iliac artery and iliac stenting by a cross-over manoeuvre from the left femoral access site) although no acute bleeding was detected in the CT scan (but acute haemorrhage from the right ureteric ostium was confirmed during cystoscopy).

The patient stabilised in due time in response to periinterventional treatment in the ICU. He was discharged on the 15th day after surgery without evidence of recurrent haemorrhage.

In the presented case, this promptly initiated (vascular-surgical and interventional radiology) hybrid operation was absolutely indicated, being the approach with the best prospects for recurrent arterial bleeding with clinical manifestation of haematuria and haemorrhage within the urinary bladder due to a uretero-iliac artery fistula.

Today, a minimally invasive approach with stenting is the method of choice in the sequential, urgent management of a potentially life-threatening uretero-iliac fistula in the presence of arterial endoluminal bleeding and an imminent haemorrhagic shock.