Journal of the Chinese Medical Association
Volume 71, Issue 2 , Pages 100-102, February 2008

Aortoesophageal Fistula with a History of Graft Treatment for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

  • Chen-Sheng Lin

      Affiliations

    • Division of Gastroenterology, and Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • ,
  • Chun-Fang Tung

      Affiliations

    • Department of Emergency Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • ,
  • Hong-Zen Yeh

      Affiliations

    • Division of Gastroenterology, and Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Dr Hong-Zen Yeh, Division of Gastroenterology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 160, Section 3, Chung-Kang Road, Taichung 407, Taiwan, R.O.C
    • ,
  • Chi-Sen Chang

      Affiliations

    • Division of Gastroenterology, and Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • Chung Shan Medical University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • ,
  • Cheng-Wen Lin

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Received 4 April 2007; accepted 14 September 2007.

Article Outline

Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare but fatal cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, being most commonly associated with thoracic aortic aneurysm. We present a rare case of secondary AEF post graft treatment for mycotic aneurysm of thoracic aorta 4 years previously. Massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage resulted in difficult diagnosis by gastrointestinal endoscopy. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed contrast extravasation from the descending aorta into the mid-third esophagus. CTA is a useful diagnostic tool in patients suspected of having AEF. Rapid identification of AEF is important for definitive treatment and increases the likelihood of survival.

Key Words:  aortic aneurysm , fistula , gastrointestinal hemorrhage

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PII: S1726-4901(08)70083-2

doi:10.1016/S1726-4901(08)70083-2

Journal of the Chinese Medical Association
Volume 71, Issue 2 , Pages 100-102, February 2008

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