Haematemesis due to primary aortic aneurysm-duodenal fistula - clinical suspicion is the cornerstone of diagnosis: a case report

Primary and secondary aorto-digestive fistulas in Behçet's disease: A case report and review of the literature

Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystem chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder that involves multiple organs. Arterial involvements in BD are rare. One of severe manifestation is the aortic aneurysm which can lead to a rupture. Aorto-duodenal fistulas (ADFs) are the most frequent aorto-digestive fistulas. In this article we will describe and discuss primary and secondary ADFs which occurred in a same patient.

A singular case of primary aorto-duodenal fistula without pre-existing abdominal aortic aneurism: why and when you should suspect it

Although gastrointestinal hemorrhage from aorto-enteric fistulae (AEF) secondary to previous aortic grafts are well known, a primary aorto-enteric fistula (PAEF) without aortic aneurysm is an extremely rare event resulting in poor prognosis and outcome. PAEF is a rare cause of gastro-intestinal (GI) bleeding that radiologists should consider because often its presence is not easily guessed by clinical features. It is difficult to detect at CT examination therefore PAEF might be not diagnosed until a laparotomy. We report a case of a 74-year-old Italian male who presented to our Emergency Department (ED) with brightly red rectal bleeding that occurred from some hours and a pre-syncopal episode. There was no history of analgesic abuse, peptic ulceration, alcohol excess, and weight loss. Standard resuscitation was commenced with the hope that common sources of bleeding such as peptic ulcers or varices would eventually be discovered by endoscopy and treated definitely. An upper GI endoscopy showed brightly red blood in the stomach and in the first portions of duodenum, but no source of active bleeding was found. Diagnosis of PAEF was made by CT and after confirmed during surgical intervention. Both the duodenum and the aorta were successfully repaired by direct suture and synthetic graft replacement, respectively. Diagnosis of primary aortic duodenal fistula (ADF) has been very difficult in this case especially because our patient did not have abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) history confirmed by CT examination. Radiologist should remember that upper GI bleeding could however be determined by primary ADF also if atherosclerotic damage is severe as in this case. A technically good and complete exam is mandatory to achieve this rare and complex diagnosis. Particularly, an ultra-tardive acquisition phase (5 min after contrast administration) could be helpful to suspect the presence of PADF: the appearance of contrast into the duodenal lumen is an evocative sign useful to increase clinical and radiological suspicious of ADF. Gl bleeding should be assumed to be caused from a PAEF unless another source can be identified without delay. A timely and accurate diagnosis of primary AEF may be challenging due to insidious episodes of GI bleeding, which are frequently under diagnosed until the occurrence of massive hemorrhage.

Primary aortoduodenal fistula with a history of distal gastrectomy

Case

A 69‐year‐old man was transferred to our hospital because of an aortoduodenal fistula with hematemesis and pre‐shock vital signs. He had a history of alcoholism, malnutrition, and distal gastrectomy and Billroth I reconstruction. Endovascular aneurysm repair was successfully carried out; however, the presence of comorbidities affected further radical treatment.

Outcome

The patient survived for 2 months postoperatively.

Conclusion

Endovascular aneurysm repair is a useful first‐line treatment for high‐risk aortoduodenal fistula patients; however, it requires improvement for long‐term outcomes in complicated high‐risk cases.