title: Aortoesophageal fistula: report of a successfully managed case and review of the literature.
abstract: Aortoesophageal fistula is a rare, frequently fatal cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Although several causes have been described, it appears that the most common cause is rupture of a thoracic aortic aneurysm into the esophagus, occurring in approximately 12% of thoracic aneurysm ruptures. Although the entity was originally described in 1818, the diagnosis has rarely been made before death, and until 1983 no one survived surgery for aneurysm-associated aortoesophageal fistulas. Since that report of two cases, only two other survivors, including this patient, have been reported. Included herein is the report of a successfully managed case, along with a discussion of the causes, clinical features, and diagnostic approach to the disease, as well as the management of both the aortic and esophageal components of the fistula.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City.
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Bogey
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Hermreck
mesh_terms: D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene