title: Superior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula associated with portal obstruction.
abstract: Superior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula is rarely encountered. Unrecognized in early stage, it can cause hazardous sequelae of portal hypertension. Herein we report a rare case of portal obstruction associated with an aneurysmal dilatation of the superior mesenteric vein, which was caused by a superior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula. The patient was a 74-year-old woman admitted for continuous hemetemesis, presenting with a palpable abdominal mass. The computed tomogram revealed a 6.5 cm superior mesenteric venous aneurysm and thrombotic portal venous obstruction. On account of impending shock, an emergent portal venous thrombectomy and portocaval shunt was carried out. Superior mesenteric arterial angiography performed 4 months later confirmed the diagnosis. Being without symptoms, the patient was clinically followed and remained in stable condition for 3 and a half years. The clinical presentation of a mesenteric arteriovenous fistula varies, with occasional gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage. When complicated with portal obstruction, the condition can be disastrous. We believe that creation of a porto-systemic shunt with resection of the arterio-venous fistula is the proper treatment. This patient is now under close observation.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, ROC. bwwang@isca.vghks.gov.tw
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Mok
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008642:Mesenteric Veins / Q000002:abnormalities*; D011169:Portal Vein; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*