Fistulas between the aorta and tracheobronchial tree

Who needs their descending thoracic aorta anyway? Extra-anatomic bypass for aorto-bronchial fistula after TEVAR

BACKGROUND

Aortobronchial fistula after TEVAR remains a vexing clinical problem associated with high mortality. Although a combination of endovascular and open surgical strategies have been reported in managing this pathology, there is as yet no definitive treatment algorithm that can be used for all patients. We discuss our approach to an aortobronchial fistula associated with an overtly infected aortic endograft.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 49-year-old female sustained a traumatic aortic transection 14 years prior, managed by an endovascular stent-graft. Due to persistent endoleak, she underwent open replacement of her descending thoracic aorta 4 years later. Ten years after her open aortic surgery, the patient presented with hemoptysis, and a pseudoaneurysm at her distal aortic suture line was identified on computed tomography, whereupon she underwent placement of an endograft. Eight weeks later, she presented with dyspnea, recurrent hemoptysis, malaise and fever, with clinical and radiographic evidence of an aortobronchial communication and an infected aortic stent-graft. The patient underwent management via a two-stage open surgical approach, constituting an extra-anatomic bypass from her ascending aorta to distal descending aorta and subsequent radical excision of her descending aorta with all associated infected prosthetic material and repair of the airway.

CONCLUSION

Aortobronchial fistula after TEVAR represents a challenging complex clinical scenario. Extra-anatomic aortic bypass followed by radical debridement of all contaminated tissue may provide the best option for durable longer-term outcomes.

Aortic arch replacement and autologous pericardial tracheal patch for an aorto-tracheal fistula

Aorto-tracheal fistulas are rare and highly lethal, with few reports of successful surgical intervention. We present a 48-year-old man with an aorto-tracheal fistula induced by radiation therapy for tracheal squamous cell carcinoma. He presented with hemoptysis and chest pain and workup revealed the aorta-tracheal fistula between the posterior aortic arch and anterior distal trachea. He was emergently taken to surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an aorto-tracheal fistula successfully treated with a transverse aortic arch replacement and complex tracheal repair using autologous pericardium with an omental buttress.

Use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair for management of aortobronchial fistula

We report the case of a 66-year-old man who had been emergently transferred to our institution with hemoptysis and hemodynamic instability. His computed tomography findings were consistent with the presence of an aortobronchial fistula. The patient had undergone open repair of coarctation of aorta via thoracotomy 20 years previously, and he was not deemed a suitable candidate for open repair. He was successfully treated with thoracic endovascular aortic repair with successful exclusion of the fistula. The patient was discharged home, and the subsequent follow-up imaging study at 12 months showed the graft in a stable position without evidence of infection, pseudoaneurysm, or endoleak. This case has demonstrated the successful use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair for urgent management of an aortobronchial fistula.

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Aortobronchial Fistula 18 Years after Graft Replacement of the Descending Aorta

A 77-year-old woman who had undergone graft replacement of the descending aorta 18 years prior presented to our hospital complaining of a cough with bloody sputum. She was diagnosed with aortobronchial fistula by computed tomography. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair was performed, and the patient was discharged from the hospital without any major complications. Postoperatively, bloody sputum disappeared, and computed tomography examination at 12 months postoperatively showed that the preoperative infiltrative shadows in the lung fields were reduced. In conclusion, thoracic endovascular aortic repair is an effective treatment for aortobronchial fistula.

Chest-Wall Collateral Embolization to Reduce Surgical Blood Loss in Peripheral Aspergillomas

OBJECTIVES

 The objective of this study was to present the procedural details and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) findings of perioperative chest-wall collateral embolization (PCCE) and compare intraoperative blood loss in patients of pulmonary aspergilloma (PA) undergoing lung resection with and without PCCE.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 Since November 2017, we have performed PCCE in 17 patients (14 males, three females, age 34.41 ± 12.85 years) before surgery for PA (embolization group). Retrospective evaluation of these patients was done, DSA findings were noted, and perioperative parameters (surgical approach, extent of resection, operative time, blood loss, blood transfusion, morbidity grade, and length of post-operative stay) were compared with a comparative cohort of 24 patients of PA (21 males, three females, mean age 36.13 ± 12.58 years) who underwent thoracic surgery without PCCE (May 2013-November 2017) (control group) using the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

 A total of 55 arteries were embolized in 17 patients (mean 3.23 arteries per patient). Technical success could be achieved in all patients without any procedure-related complications. The most common arteries embolized were posterior intercostal arteries (29) followed by costocervical trunk (10), superior thoracic (8), lateral thoracic (5), and internal thoracic arteries (3). The mean blood loss was significantly lower in the embolization group compared with the control group (676.47 vs. 1,264.58 mL, p = 0.015). Within the embolization group, patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery had even lower blood loss compared with open surgery cases (466 vs. 887.50 mL, p-value = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

 PCCE is a simple and safe procedure, useful in reducing intra-operative blood loss in patients undergoing surgery for peripherally located PA.

Aortotracheal fistula after slide tracheoplasty in a patient with dextrocardia, left pulmonary artery sling and tracheal stenosis: a case report

Background

Aortotracheal fistula (ATF) is an uncommon and fatal complication of tracheal or aortic surgery, especially among pediatric patients.

Case presentation

We reported a case in a 1-year-old boy with dextrocardia, left pulmonary artery sling and long segment tracheal stenosis. He received slide tracheoplasty at 9 months of age and had post-operative refractory granulation at distal trachea status post repeated balloon dilatation and laser vaporization. Episodes of hemoptysis occurred on post-operative day 81. Bronchoscopy revealed a pulsating pseudoaneurysm at lower trachea which ruptured during the procedure

Urgent surgical repair under cardiopulmonary bypass with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was done. No recurrent bleeding or significant neurologic deficits noticed at a 4-month follow-up.

Conclusion

Congenital anomaly that changes the spatial relationship between trachea and aorta could have contributed to formation of ATF. This warrant future attention when managing tracheal granulation with this not uncommon anatomy.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13019-021-01438-6.

The Effectiveness of Gelfoam as the Sole and Primary Embolization Agent in the Management of Hemoptysis: A Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Center

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of Gelfoam as an effective embolizing agent in patients with hemoptysis presenting to a tertiary care center in developing nations.

Material and Methods:

A retrospective analysis of data from 30 patients treated by Interventional radiologist at St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, India, was performed. The study included 22 males (73.3%) and 8 (26.65%) female patients. Gelfoam was used as the sole embolizing agent and arteries with features of abnormal blush and hypertrophy were targeted. Analysis of the etiology, immediate, and short-term outcome and complications, when present, was performed. The median follow-up period was 45 days following an embolization procedure at this center.

Results:

A high short-term efficacy was noted following embolization procedures with Gelfoam as the sole agent. Twenty-eight out of 30 procedures were deemed successful, and post-tubercular changes were noted to be the cause for hemoptysis in 23 patients. The high short-term efficacy (93.3%), evidenced by a complete stoppage of hemoptysis, along with a relatively low rate of complications (spinal cord ischemia in only 2.3%), strengthens the position of Gelfoam as the sole embolizing agent in a resource-limited setting.

Conclusion:

In an economically constrained setting, Gelfoam proves to be a useful first choice single embolization agent, while polyvinyl alcohol particles coupled with microcatheter systems remain within reach of only those who can afford them.

Management of aortobronchial fistula: Experience of 14 cases

OBJECTIVES

Aortobronchial fistula (ABF) is rare but lethal condition if left untreated, and the treatment still remains challenging. We retrospectively reviewed data at our Institution and report our experience in the management of ABF.

METHODS

From September 2010 to May 2019, 14 patients (13 men, average age 52 ± 11 years) with ABF were treated in our hospital. Three types of management were applied according to the patients' different clinical presentation, including conservative treatment, that is, antibiotic treatment (n = 3), endovascular repair (n = 7), and open surgery (n = 4). In the open surgery group, Dacron grafts were used, two cases received in situ descending thoracic aortic replacement through left thoracotomy and two cases received extra-anatomic bypass through median thoracoabdominal incision.

RESULTS

In the conservative treatment group (n = 3), two patients died during follow-up, the third was alive in good condition. In the endovascular repair group (n = 7), one patient died 22 days after the endovascular repair because of massive hemoptysis and another patient died 4 days after the procedure because of cerebral infarction. In the medium term, two patients died of massive hemoptysis, and one was lost at follow-up. In the open surgery group (n = 4), one patient died because of massive hemoptysis 2 days after his extra-anatomic bypass procedure, the remaining patients were alive in good condition at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

ABF is catastrophic if left untreated. Endovascular repair might be a reasonable temporary bridge solution in emergency cases, but is less durable in the long run. Open surgery, despite more challenging, provides a more definitive treatment for ABF.

Hemoptysis is frequently fatal if blood comes directly from the aorta commentary

Physicians throughout the world, across various specialties, are faced with diagnostic challenges of appropriately identifying the source of hemotosysis, which could range from a simple treatable infection, to the more ominous massive hemorrhage from the aorta requiring emergency, life saving surgery. Aortobronchopulmonary fistula, which is an abnormal communication between the thoracic aorta and the pulmonary tree, is an uncommon but often lethal condition if not promptly surgically intervened. Over the decades, the underlying cause has shifted, from primarily due to an aortic infection, such as tuberculosis, to now secondarily as a result of endovascular repair of the intrathoracic aorta. The best treatment modality, whether open surgical repair, endovascular management, or hybrid approach continues to be debated given the high operative morbidity and mortality of open repair and need to address the pulmonary communication, with optimal management still undetermined.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair for aortobronchial fistula: a case series

Background

Aortobronchial fistula (ABF) formation following the rupture of thoracic pseudoaneurysm is a rare clinical entity. Its aetiology includes atherosclerosis, infections, trauma, post-surgery, and post-endovascular aortic repair. The clinical presentation of ABF includes intermittent or massive haemoptysis, acute respiratory distress, hypotension, and even death. These patients require an emergency aortic intervention to stop active haemorrhage. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a less invasive, safe, and effective treatment compared to conventional open surgical repair

Case summary

We hereby report three cases of ruptured descending thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysms resulting in a fistula formation. The first two cases had tuberculosis as their underlying aetiology, while the third case was the result of previous open post-aortic surgery. All patients presented with massive haemoptysis and were successfully treated by emergency TEVAR and had favourable outcomes.

Discussion

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is a rapid, less invasive, and effective treatment for emergency management of ABF. It has more than 85% technical success rates in the reported literature. We had procedural success in all three cases. The short and midterm outcome of ABF following TEVAR is favourable and encouraging.

Tuberculous aortitis as a rare cause of aortobronchial fistula with massive haemoptysis: A case report

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It is a rare condition that is invariably fatal if not diagnosed or treated on time.

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Aortobronchial fistula is subdivided into primary and secondary fistulae.

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Diagnosis of aortobronchial fistula requires high index of suspicion.

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Long term follow up is important because of significant recurrent rate.

Background

Aortobronchial fistula is a rare condition, which is difficult to diagnose. It is fatal if misdiagnosed or not well treated. Massive haemoptysis is usually the first common symptom. Computed tomography angiogram (CTA) is the best non-invasive diagnostic modality. Treatment options include open repair procedure or Transthoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) and resection of the destroyed lung tissue. The recurrent rate is high.

Case presentation

This report is a case of a 26-year-old African female patient who presented with massive haemoptysis. She had been treated for pulmonary tuberculosis two years before. The patient was diagnosed with retroviral disease and had been on treatment for two years. She underwent a 2-stage repair procedure. The initial treatment was TEVAR, which was followed by lung resection after two weeks. Both operations were uneventful. Histopathology analysis confirmed tuberculous aortitis as aetiology. The patient had been followed up for a year, with no recurrence.

Discussion

Aortobronchial is divided into primary and secondary subtypes. Primary aortobronchial fistula is commonly caused by inflammatory disease and atherosclerosis. Secondary aortobronchial fistula is a complication of surgery for thoracic aorta and congenital cardiac disease. Tuberculous fistula is an uncommon cause of aortobronchial fistula. Surgery for aortobronchial fistula should include controlling both aortic and pulmonary fistula sites. A healthy tissue or muscle flap should be used between the repaired sites to prevent refistulisation. Recurrence is common; hence, long-term follow up is important.

Conclusion

Early diagnosis and adequate treatment are important. A high index of suspicion is important for diagnosis, because the diagnosis is difficult.

Adult Aortotracheal Fistula as Sequela of Double Aortic Arch Repair in Infancy: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Double aortic arch is a rare congenital malformation of the aortic arch that most frequently presents in childhood. Early surgical intervention typically yields excellent outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To describe aortotracheal fistula as a rare, yet serious complication of vascular ring and subsequent aortic aneurysm in an adult patient.

METHODS

Clinical history, as well as radiographic and endoscopic imaging were obtained to describe the development, diagnosis, and clinical course of this patient's aortotracheal fistula. Additionally, follow up data was obtained to document the healing of this fistula after surgical repair.

RESULTS

We describe a case of a 46-year-old male with DiGeorge Syndrome and a double aortic arch, repaired in childhood, which developed into an aortotracheal fistula after tracheostomy placement as an adult.

CONCLUSIONS

This case demonstrates that dangerous complications of a double aortic arch can persist into adulthood, even after surgical repair in infancy. Each patient's unique anatomy must be considered when thinking about airway management and prevention of complications of this rare congenital anomaly.

Aortobronchial fistula

Aortobronchial fistulas (ABFs) are rare but fatal if left untreated. Hemoptysis is the most common symptom of the patients. ABFs may occur after any thoracic aortic lesions or maneuveurs for these lesions. The treatment of ABF can be surgical or thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair can be a safe and less invasive procedure for the treatment of ABFs. However, ABFs might occur in much shorter time after thoracic endovascular aortic repair than any other etiologies. The prognoses of patients with ABFs are poor with a high morbidity and mortality. The selection of a suitable endovascular graft and avoidance of postinterventional complications might effectively prevent the occurrence of ABFs.

Sudden death with massive hemoptysis from aortobronchial fistula

Aortobronchial fistula is an uncommon clinical entity, with unpredictable clinical course and significant mortality. Here, we describe a case of fistulous tract between a descending aortic graft and a branch of the left upper lobar bronchus leading to massive hemoptysis causing death for hemorrhagic shock in a 72-year-old man.

Risk Factors Associated With Reintervention After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Descending Aortic Pathologies

BACKGROUND:

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is associated with several short-term benefits, including reduced morbidity and mortality; however, the long-term durability of TEVAR and the need for secondary aortic reintervention remain unclear. We aimed to determine the adverse outcomes, including aortic reintervention, after TEVAR for thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissection.

METHODS:

Between October 2009 and July 2016, 130 patients underwent TEVAR at Kyungpook National University Hospital. We excluded 35 patients with traumatic injury and included the remaining 95 patients in our study after TEVAR. The patients included in this study were categorized into 2 groups (reintervention [R] and nonintervention [N] groups) according to the need for reintervention. The mean follow-up period for all 95 patients was 22.4 (20.6) months.

RESULTS:

The overall actuarial survival rates were 83.7% (4.1%) and 63.6% (8.8%) at 1 and 5 years, respectively. The rates of freedom from aortic reintervention after TEVAR were 94.0% (3.5%), 72.8% (8.2%), and 48.9% (10.5%) at 2, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The independent risk factors for aortic reintervention were endoleaks after TEVAR (odds ratio [OR] 6.13, P = .017), increase in aortic size by over 5% per year (OR 20.40, P = .001), and peripheral vascular occlusive disease (PVOD; OR 13.62, P = .007). Patients with preoperative hemoptysis tended to show a greater need for aortic reintervention ( P = .059). Increase in aortic size by over 5% per year and PVOD were the primary risk factors for endoleaks (OR 3.82, P = .013 and OR 4.37, P = .021, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

Survival after TEVAR for thoracic aortic pathologies was satisfactory in most of the patients chosen as candidates for the procedure. However, the occurrence of endoleaks, increase in aortic size by over 5% per year, and PVOD were the primary causes of aortic reintervention.

An uncommon cause of hemoptysis: aortobronchial fistula

Background

Hemoptysis is a frequent sign of respiratory and non-respiratory diseases. While in most cases the underlying cause is rapidly identified, sometimes the real etiology might be misdiagnosed with dramatic delay in treatment.

Case presentation

A 46-year-old man with hiatal hernia and a history of aortic surgery for aortic coarctation presented with dramatic episodes of hemoptysis and subsequent severe anemia (6,9 g/dl). Digestive and respiratory endoscopy resulted not exhaustive, thus he underwent a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest that showed an aneurysmal dilatation of the descending thoracic aorta with suspected aortobronchial fistula. He underwent cardiac surgery that confirmed the diagnosis and successfully treated the fistula.

Conclusion

We briefly review the literature to raise clinical awareness on this uncommon cause of hemoptysis.

Endovascular Treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Causing Life-Threatening Hemoptysis: Two Case Reports

Purpose

To describe two patients presenting life-threatening hemoptysis with saccular thoracic aortic aneurysm penetrating lung parenchyma and its endovascular treatment.

Case Report

We present two cases of 73- and 74-year-old men with massive hemoptysis secondary to saccular thoracic aortic aneurysm ruptured lung parenchyma who were successfully treated with endovascular approach with 3rd month's imaging follow-up.

Conclusion

Thoracic aortic aneurysm is one of the rarest causes of hemoptysis and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and can be used for an effective and problem-solving treatment approach.

Endovascular Repair of Aortobronchial Fistula due to Saccular Aneurysm of Thoracic Aorta

Aortobronchial fistula (ABF) is a rare condition which can be lethal if left untreated. Open surgical treatment carries high morbidity and mortality. Recent advances in endovascular technology have made thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) the treatment of choice. We present a successful endovascular repair of aortobronchial fistula due to a saccular aneurysm of descending thoracic aorta.

Endovascular repair with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a rescue strategy for aortobronchial fistula: a case report

Aortobronchial fistula (ABF) is a rare and potentially lethal complication of thoracic aortic replacement surgery. Currently, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has emerged as a less invasive alternative to open surgery for ABF to facilitate prompt hemostasis. However, there are no published reports of TEVAR for ABF, particularly for presentation with life-threatening respiratory failure from massive hemoptysis.

A 48-year-old male patient, who had recently undergone aortic root and arch replacement due to aortic dissection, was transferred to the emergency department with massive hemoptysis and severe dyspnea. A single-lumen endotracheal tube was immediately placed in the right main bronchus to protect the nonbleeding lung from spillage of blood. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed leakage of contrast material from the distal anastomosis of the aortic graft and consolidated lung tissue adjacent to the leakage. He was diagnosed with an ABF following aortic arch replacement, and an emergency TEVAR was performed. After adequate hemostasis, severe hypercapnia remained uncorrected despite the maximum ventilatory support. Thus, venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) was immediately initiated, and severe respiratory acidosis improved dramatically. Furthermore, VV ECMO facilitated prompt bronchoscopic washout of the remaining blood clot without any danger of respiratory collapse and was weaned off successfully after 5 days as ventilation improved.

This case demonstrates that emergency TEVAR in combination with VV ECMO can be a rescue strategy for massive hemoptysis from an ABF.

Endoluminal Stent-Graft Repair of Aortobronchial Fistulas: Bridging or Definitive Long-Term Solution?

Purpose:

To describe our experience with endoluminal stent-graft repair of aortobronchial fistulas (ABF) and to analyze midterm results focusing on late chronic graft infections, secondary conversion, and survival.

Methods:

The records of 8 patients (6 men; mean age 69 years, range 28–88) treated between March 1997 and October 2003 for traumatic and postsurgical ABFs were reviewed. Seven presented with hemoptysis and 1 with hemorrhagic shock. According to the severity of emergency, patients underwent computed tomography, angiography, bronchoscopy, and transesophageal echocardiography. Preoperatively, no clinical signs of infection were evident. Two different stent-graft models (Talent and Excluder) were implanted using standard endovascular techniques.

Results:

Procedural and clinical success was achieved in all patients. Paraplegia, secondary intervention, conversion, or procedure-related death was not observed. Mean follow-up was 30 months (range 0.6–77). One patient with a postsurgical ABF (Dacron tube graft) successfully treated with an Excluder stent-graft died 13 months later from hemorrhage secondary to aortoesophageal fistula repair procedures. A second patient died from pneumonia after 42 months. A third patient, in whom 2 Talent stent-grafts had been implanted to treat an ABF from the false lumen of a type B dissection, died 7 months later from massive hemorrhage.

Conclusions:

Endoluminal stent-grafting of ABF is feasible and the preferred method of treatment. Secondary conversion due to endograft infection is not absolutely mandatory, but close surveillance is necessary.

Intermittent Haemoptysis due to an Aortobronchial Fistula in a Warmblood Mare

A 7-year-old warmblood mare showed sudden onset of mild intermittent haemoptysis. Clinical examination revealed no significant abnormalities. Haematological examination showed mild anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and neutrophilia. Coagulation tests were normal. Endoscopic examination revealed unilateral pulmonary haemorrhage with blood clots in the bronchi and trachea. Treatment with antibiotics was started and the horse was given stable rest. Two weeks later, the horse was found dead with blood and frothy sputum leaking from the nostrils. Post-mortem examination revealed a large thoracic aortic aneurysm communicating with a pseudoaneurysm that had formed a fistula into a right bronchial branch. Microscopical examination of the aneurysm showed extensive medial fibrosis with prominent degeneration, fragmentation and mineralization of the elastic fibres and deposition of mucoid material in the tunica media. The pseudoaneurysm was lined by collagen bundles admixed with fibroblasts and a small amount of adipose tissue. Aortobronchial fistula is a rare condition in man that is usually associated with primary aortic pathology, most often aneurysms. To the authors' knowledge this is the first case of a fatal aortobronchial fistula in a horse or any other animal species.

Therapeutic strategy for treating aortoesophageal fistulas

PURPOSE

The development fistulas between the thoracic aorta and the esophagus are highly fatal conditions. We aimed to identify a therapeutic strategy for treating aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) in this study, by investigating all AEF cases presented in this special symposium at the 65th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery.

METHODS

Forty-seven AEF patients were included in this study. The survivors and nonsurvivors at six and 18 months after diagnosis of AEF were classified into "Group A6", "Group D6", "Group A18", and "Group D18", respectively. Comparisons between Group A6 and Group D6 and between Group A18 and Group D18 were made with regard to therapeutic strategy.

RESULTS

Twenty-two (46.8 %) and 33 (70.3 %) of the 47 patients died within 6 and 18 months, respectively. The patients treated with omentum wrapping (p = 0.0052), esophagectomy (p = 0.0269) and a graft replacement strategy for the aorta (p = 0.002) were more frequently included in Group A6. The patients with the omentum wrapping (p = 0.0174) and esophagectomy (p = 0.0203) and graft replacement were more significantly included in Group A18. The results of the multivariate analysis indicated that the mortality rate at 6 and 18 months after diagnosis was significantly correlated with graft replacement (p = 0.0188) and esophagectomy (p = 0.0257), respectively. There were significant differences in the actuarial survival curves in patients who had omentum wrapping, graft replacement, and esophagectomy compared to patients who did not have these 3 therapeutic procedures.

CONCLUSION

The use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair alone for AEF should not be considered a definitive surgery. In contrast, esophagectomy, open surgery with aortic replacement using prostheses and homografts and greater omentum wrapping significantly improve the mid-term survival of AEF.

Thoracic Aortic Rupture and Aortopulmonary Fistulation in the Friesian Horse

Aortic rupture in horses is a rare condition. Although it is relatively common in the Friesian breed, only limited histopathologic information is available. Twenty Friesian horses (1–10 years old) were diagnosed with aortic rupture by postmortem examination. Ruptured aortic walls were analyzed with histology and immunohistochemistry. Based on the histologic and immunohistochemical findings, these cases were divided into 3 groups: acute ( n = 4, 20%), subacute ( n = 8, 40%), and chronic ( n = 8, 40%). Features common to samples from horses in all groups included accumulation of mucoid material; disorganization and fragmentation of the elastic laminae; aortic medial smooth muscle hypertrophy; and medial necrosis of varying degrees, ranging from mild and patchy in the acute cases to severe midzonal necrosis in the chronic cases. Inflammation, most likely secondary to medial necrosis, varied from predominantly neutrophilic infiltrates in the media and periadventitial tissue in the acute group to the presence of mainly hemosiderophages in the periadventitial tissue in the chronic group. Medial fibrosis with aberrant collagen morphology was seen in the subacute group and, more commonly, in the chronic group. Only minimal changes were seen in the aortic vasa vasorum. Smooth muscle hypertrophy and accumulation of mucoid material were not related to the age of the lesions. The findings of this study suggest that a connective tissue disorder affecting elastin or collagen in the aortic media is potentially the underlying cause of aortic rupture in Friesian horses.

Endovascular repair as a bridge to surgical repair of an aortobronchial fistula complicating chronic residual aortic dissection

Endovascular and open surgical repair have been used in patients with descending thoracic aortic dissection; however, the appropriate treatment is debated. We describe the case of a 60-year-old woman who had a symptomatic, chronic, residual, descending thoracic aortic dissection that was complicated by an aortobronchial fistula. She underwent emergent thoracic endovascular stent-grafting but remained symptomatic. Computed tomographic angiograms showed a contained rupture into the lower lobe of the left lung. The patient underwent definitive surgery to remove the stents, reconstruct the aorta, and resect the nonviable lung tissue. The remainder of her postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged from the hospital 13 days after the 2nd operation. Results of genetic testing confirmed an earlier presumptive diagnosis of Marfan syndrome. In an emergency, the best initial option for patients with a complicated descending thoracic aortic dissection might be thoracic endovascular aortic repair, which could serve as a bridge to definitive open repair.

[Massive hemoptysis following thoracic aortic rupture: an advancing field]

We report the case of a 57-year-old woman who presented with massive hemoptysis and thoracic pain 3 years after the endovascular treatment of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. Emergency work up revealed the presence of an endoleak, leading to the pressurization of the aneurysm sac and its subsequent rupture into the lung parenchyma. The discussion includes presentation, clinical course, diagnosis, complications and new therapeutic options in the management of a massive hemoptysis secondary to aortic rupture. All together, the case and discussion highlight the classical rules of critical care and the recent advances in endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic rupture.

CT and MRI in the Evaluation of Thoracic Aortic Diseases

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the most commonly used imaging examinations to evaluate thoracic aortic diseases because of their high spatial and temporal resolutions, large fields of view, and multiplanar imaging reconstruction capabilities. CT and MRI play an important role not only in the diagnosis of thoracic aortic disease but also in the preoperative assessment and followup after treatment. In this review, the CT and MRI appearances of various acquired thoracic aortic conditions are described and illustrated.

Hard to diagnose and potentially fatal: slow aortic erosion post spinal fusion

BACKGROUND

Delayed aortic injuries are a rare, but well-recognized complication of spinal surgery. They are a result of slow erosion of osteosynthesis material into the aorta. Although this is a life-threatening complication, patients might present years later with nonspecific symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

A complex case of slow aortic injury after thoracic spinal surgery is presented, which highlights the challenges involved in diagnosis and treatment.

CASE REPORT

A 62-year-old man had a T6 vertebrectomy and T5-7 anterior spinal fusion for multiple myeloma 5 years earlier. Two years postoperatively, the patient developed intermittent hemoptysis that triggered several presentations to the emergency department and consecutive hospital admissions during a 3-year period. All investigations, including endoscopy, bronchoscopy, and repeated chest computed tomography (CT) scans, were unremarkable. Eventually, the patient presented with frank hemoptysis associated with severe left-sided chest pain. Urgent CT angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm measuring 34 × 20 mm at the level of the vertebrectomy. The patient underwent emergency surgery and an endoluminal stent graft was successfully placed. The patient remains well after 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The close proximity of the aorta and spine entertains the risk of aortic injury associated with vertebral osteosynthesis. Long-term complications of slow aortic erosion are extremely difficult to diagnose. The presented patient suffered from an undetected bronchio-aortic fistula with consecutive pseudoaneurysm formation and rupture. Awareness of slow aortic erosion is important for correct diagnostic pathways and subsequent early diagnosis to ensure a positive outcome for the patient.

Endovascular management of an acquired aortobronchial fistula following aortic bypass for coarctation

Aortobronchial fistula (ABF) in the setting of aortic coarctation repair is very rare but uniformly fatal if untreated. Endovascular stenting of the descending aorta is now the first-choice approach for ABF presenting with haemoptysis and offers a less-invasive technique with improved outcomes, compared with open repair. We report a case of late ABF occurring following bypass for aortic coarctation. Management focused on two key manoeuvres: use of a covered endovascular stent to occlude the aortic bypass thus controlling the fistula and dilatation and stenting of native coarctation.

Aortic fistula after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma: an unusual cause of sudden death

Aortic fistula to the enteric tract is an uncommon but recognized complication of esophagectomy, whereas an aortorespiratory fistula is usually described in the setting of aortic disease or previous aortic surgery. We describe 2 cases of fatal aortic fistula occurring after esophagectomy and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, both encountered at autopsy.The first case is an aortobronchial fistula occurring in a 47-year-old male in the early postoperative setting. Death was caused by rupture of the fistula into the posterior mediastinum with transhiatal extension and hemoperitoneum. The tissue adjacent to the fistula showed radiation effect, and an esophageal stent had been placed before surgery. The second case is an aortogastric tube fistula occurring in a 50-year-old male 2 years after surgery and resulting in fatal gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The fistula involved the site of anastomosis and a surgical clip was present in the adjacent soft tissue.The development of aortic fistula after esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma is rare, but should be considered at autopsy as a potential cause of unexpected, sudden death in these patients. Possible inciting mechanisms in this setting include the presence of foreign material (stent placement and surgical clips) and previous chemoradiation.

Fatal aortobronchial fistula

Aortobronchial fistula is a rare condition characterized by the development of a communication between the aorta and a branch of the bronchial tree that results from processes that arise within the aorta, in the tissues of the mediastinum, or in the adjacent thoracic organs. Three cases are reported to demonstrate characteristic features. Case 1: An 82-year-old woman was found collapsed with blood clot in her mouth. At autopsy an atherosclerotic thoracic aortic aneurysm was found which had eroded into the underlying left main bronchus with filling of the larynx, trachea and main bronchi with fluid blood. There was no evidence of dissection. Case 2: A 30-year-old woman collapsed and died. At autopsy, coarctation of the thoracic aorta was found with a saccular aneurysm distal to this which was joined to the left main bronchus by a mass of necrotic tissue. The bronchus contained a cast of blood; blood was also present within the trachea and within the distal airways of the left lung. Case 3: A six-year-old girl collapsed with massive airway haemorrhage following bronchoscopy. At autopsy coarctation of the thoracic aorta was identified with a saccular aneurysm distal to this. A transverse tear of the thinned aneurysm wall communicated with a mass of necrotic friable tissue that extended through the wall of the left main bronchus. Distal airways were filled with fluid blood. All three deaths were due to haemorrhage from aortobronchial fistulas. The pathogenesis of aortobronchial fistulas involves a variety of mechanical, infective and neoplastic processes. Many cases will not be diagnosed until autopsy examination is performed.

Endovascular stent-graft repair of aortobronchial fistulas

BACKGROUND

Endovascular repair of the descending thoracic aorta has recently emerged as a feasible treatment option; however, little is known about its application for aortobronchial fistula (ABF). Experience with endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta and the outcome of patients with ABFs was reviewed to assess whether thoracic endovascular repair is a realistic option.

METHODS

From February 2001 to May 2011, 386 patients were successfully treated with endoluminal grafts to the distal arch or descending thoracic aorta. Among them, 26 patients with ABF underwent thoracic endovascular repair. These cases were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. Follow-up was 100% complete (mean, 21 months).

RESULTS

The subjects included 26 patients (22 males, 85%; 4 females, 15%) with a median age of 71 years. Ten patients (38%) were diagnosed with atherosclerotic aneurysms, 13 (50%) had pseudoaneurysms associated with prior open surgical repair, 1 (4%) had rupture of dissecting aneurysm, and 2 (8%) had mycotic aneurysm. There were 4 (15%) in-hospital mortalities, in which the causes included bleeding owing to recurrence of hemoptysis (n=3, 11%) and multiple organ failure (n=1, 4%). None sustained postoperative stroke or paraplegia. During follow-up, ABFs recurred in 4 patients; of these, endograft explantation occurred in 3 patients and 1 patient required additional open surgery. No hospital mortality resulted among the 4 patients with ABF recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular management of ABFs appears to be safe and well tolerated with minimal risk, even in surgically high-risk patients. Endovascular stent-graft repair is likely the first choice for ABF presenting as hemoptysis.

Unusual complications of endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta: MDCT findings

With the development of minimally invasive surgical techniques, endovascular stent-graft placement has become an accepted and widely used alternative to the traditional surgical repair of aortic disease and is gaining acceptance as the treatment of choice. Many studies show that endovascular stent-graft therapy is safe and effective, although complications related to this treatment are also recognised. Although the incidence of major complication is low, neurological sequelae remain the major concern of endovascular repair. With growing experience, however, the spectrum of mid- and long-term complications has broadened to include potentially disastrous events, other than paraplegia or stroke, that require diligent surveillance. Three-dimensional data sets acquired quickly by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) allow multiplanar reformations and 3D viewing, as well as quantitative assessment of vessel lumens, walls and surroundings. Although a large portion of radiologists will not be involved in the actual endograft deployment, many will be involved in the interpretation of postprocedural surveillance studies. Accordingly, the goal of this report is to summarise our experience with the presentation, diagnostic approach, management and outcomes of these unusual, but potentially catastrophic, postendovascular aortic repair complications to highlight their significance and increase familiarity with them among the imaging community. Increasing awareness of these complications may facilitate rapid diagnosis and/or triage and treatment.

Aortobronchial fistula presenting 14 years following ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus

Aortobronchial fistula (ABF) presenting as massive hemoptysis is a rapidly fatal process that is extremely difficult to diagnose and manage. ABF following ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is extremely rare. We now report a case of an ABF developing 14 years after ligation of a PDA.

Aortobronchial fistula after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer -- a very rare complication

Most aorto-respiratory fistulas are related to aortic pathology or procedures, but fistula formation after esophageal resection has never been reported in the literature. We are now reporting a case of hemoptysis that occurred after esophagectomy for locally advanced esophageal cancer. Aortobronchial fistula was detected by computed tomography scan. The patient was finally saved by emergency surgery-Dacron graft interposition of the descending thoracic aorta. There was no malignant cell in the postoperative specimen of the fistula. The erosion of the ligaclips (Johnson & Johnson) might be responsible for the aortobronchial fistula formation. For esophageal surgery, avoidance of trauma to aortic wall and careful using of ligaclips are important to circumvent this complication.

Tratamento endovascular de pseudoaneurisma de aorta torácica com fístula aorto-brônquica em pós-operatório tardio de cirurgia de correção de coarctação de aorta

Fístula aorto-brônquica é uma conexão entre a aorta e o brônquio, e mesmo quando imediatamente reconhecida e tratada possui alto risco de letalidade. Pode se desenvolver após cirurgias de aorta, e é geralmente uma consequência de pseudoaneurisma. A hemoptise, massiva ou intermitente, é o principal sintoma apresentado. O tratamento convencional da fístula aorto-brônquica é a cirurgia aberta de aorta torácica, com reconstrução traqueobrônquica. Recentemente, o reparo endovascular tem sido proposto como uma alternativa. Os autores apresentam um relato de tratamento endovascular, realizado com êxito, de pseudoaneurisma de aorta torácica com fístula aorto-brônquica 22 anos após cirurgia para correção de coarctação aórtica.

Outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair for aortobronchial and aortoesophageal fistulas

PURPOSE

To identify in-hospital and follow-up outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for aortobronchial fistula (ABF) and aortoesophageal fistula (AEF).

METHODS

The authors reviewed all published cases of ABF and AEF undergoing TEVAR indexed in the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library CENTRAL, and EMBASE databases. After removal of duplicates, 850 articles were scrutinized for relevance and validity. Exclusion criteria included: (1) no clear description of the organs involved with the fistula, (2) no description of outcomes after TEVAR for ABF or AEF, or (3) no original data presented in the article. In this manner, 66 relevant articles were identified that included original data on 114 patients (76 men; mean age 63+/-1.5 years) with ABF (n = 71) or AEF (n = 43). Meta-analyses were performed to investigate outcomes of TEVAR for ABF and AEF.

RESULTS

Patients with AEF presented more frequently with hypovolemic shock (33% versus 13%, p = 0.012) and systemic infection (36% versus 9%, p<0.001) compared to patients with ABF. In-hospital mortality was 3% (n = 2) after TEVAR for ABF and 19% (n = 8) after TEVAR for AEF (p = 0.004). Additional thoracic surgery in the first 30 days after TEVAR was performed in 3% (n = 2) of ABF patients and in 37% (n = 16) of AEF patients (p<0.001); 12 AEF patients who had received esophageal surgery in the first month after TEVAR showed lower fistula-related mortality during 6 months of follow-up compared to patients who did not receive additional esophageal surgery (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

TEVAR is associated with superior outcomes in patients with ABF. Endovascular management of AEF is associated with poor results and should not be considered definitive treatment. TEVAR could serve as a bridge to surgery for emergency cases of AEF only, with definitive open surgical correction of the fistula undertaken as soon as possible.