title: Fistulae of the internal thoracic vessels: report of two cases.
abstract: Arteriovenous fistulae involving the internal thoracic vessels are extremely rare. The multiple causes, variable clinical presentation, and inconsistent delay of onset of clinical symptoms in addition to their rarity make their diagnosis difficult. However, the complications of untreated internal thoracic fistulae are potentially fatal, emphasizing the need to make a prompt and correct diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made and the investigational workup complete, treatment consists of either surgical ligation and excision or percutaneous transcatheter embolization. We report two cases of patients with internal thoracic fistulae: one arising as a complication of a tube thoracostomy and the other following an anterior thoracotomy. The second case report describes a rupture of the internal thoracic fistulae, a complication not reported earlier.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Rm 2267, NHI Site, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3A7.
authors.forename: Ansar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: Donald R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Drew C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Bethune
authors.forename: Imtiaz S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Ali
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008323:Mammary Arteries; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*