Spontaneous aorto-caval fistulae.
The clinical and radiological presentation of four cases of spontaneous aorto-caval fistula is described. This is an unusual complication of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and presents with abdominal pain, a pulsatile abdominal mass and an abdominal bruit. Our cases illustrate the variable clinical presentation, outline the diagnostic difficulties and confirm the value of aortography. A possible role for the radiologist using a balloon catheter to close the fistula prior to surgery is suggested.
D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000150:complications; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*