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Aortoduodenal fistula: role of endoscopy in diagnosis
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|June 1, 1978
Insights
A patient with an aortic bypass graft experienced gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy confirmed an aortoenteric fistula, highlighting its importance in diagnosing this rare complication.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Aortic bypass grafts can lead to rare but serious complications.
- Aortoenteric fistulas are abnormal connections between the aorta and the gastrointestinal tract.
Observation:
- A patient presented with intermittent gastrointestinal bleeding after aortic bypass graft surgery.
- Endoscopy revealed an aortoenteric fistula involving the third part of the duodenum.
Findings:
- Diagnosis of aortoenteric fistulas can be challenging.
- Conventional imaging like angiography and barium studies are often inconclusive.
Implications:
- Early endoscopic evaluation is crucial for suspected aortoenteric fistulas.
- The distal duodenum is a common site for these fistulas.
Abstract:
A patient with an aortic by-pass graft presented with intermittent gastrointestinal bleeding. A definitive diagnosis of an aortoenteric fistula involving the third part of the duodenum was made at endoscopy. Diagnosis of an aortoenteric fistula is often difficult with angiography and barium contrast studies, frequently being negative. Since the majority of these fistulas involve the distal duodenum, early endoscopy should be considered when an aortoenteric fistula is suspected.