title: Primary aortodigestive fistula: a rare and potentially lethal cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
abstract: Primary aortodigestive fistulas (PAFs) are a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, with an incidence of 0.04-0.07% in autopsy series. The diagnosis of PAF is difficult and should be considered in patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage of obscure origin. Because of its high mortality rate, clinical recognition of prodromal symptoms for early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. We report on the case of a 79-year-old patient with a PAF who was admitted for hematochezia and melena. The PAF was suspected during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and confirmed by CT angiography.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Saskia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ditisheim
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Girardin
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dumonceau
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hadengue
authors.forename: Jean Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Frossard