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Aortocolic fistula caused by an ingested chicken bone
F Caes1, T Vierendeels, W Welch
1Department of Surgery, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.
Surgery
|April 1, 1988
Summary
A rare aortocolic fistula caused by an ingested chicken bone was successfully treated surgically. This unusual cause of rectal bleeding highlights the importance of careful X-ray examination in diagnosing rare gastrointestinal complications.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
Background:
- Primary aortocolic fistulas are rare, life-threatening conditions often associated with aortic or iliac aneurysms.
- These fistulas represent abnormal connections between the aorta and the colon.
Observation:
- A unique case involved a fistula between a nonaneurysmal aortic bifurcation and the sigmoid colon.
- The fistula was caused by an ingested chicken bone, a previously undescribed etiology.
- Rectal bleeding was the primary presenting symptom.
Findings:
- Abdominal X-ray films, upon careful review, could have potentially indicated the presence of the foreign body.
- Surgical intervention involved foreign body removal and primary repair of both the colonic and aortic defects.
- The surgical management was deemed adequate for this rare presentation.
Implications:
- This case expands the known causes of aortocolic fistulas beyond aneurysms.
- Highlights the diagnostic value of radiography in identifying unusual foreign body-related gastrointestinal issues.
- Underscores the effectiveness of surgical repair in managing these complex vascular-enteric communications.