title: Aorto-cutaneous fistula: a rare complication of aortic surgery.
abstract: Two cases of false aneurysm of the ascending aorta which presented with discharge of arterial blood from a sternal wound are discussed. The first presented 8 years after aortic valve surgery and was diagnosed by contrast enhanced computerised tomography of the thorax. The second presented 6 months following repair of an aortic dissection and the diagnosis was confirmed by thoracic magnetic resonance imaging. The diagnosis and surgical management of these cases are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Brompton National Heart and Lung Hospitals, London, Great Britain.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Bridgewater
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pepper
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lennox
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000601:surgery*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology