title: Aortoenteric fistulas: spectrum of CT findings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article reviews the causes of aortoenteric fistulas, diagnostic options, and important CT findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aortoenteric fistula, a rare but potentially fatal entity, presents a significant challenge to radiologists in diagnosis, largely because of its subtle and nonspecific imaging findings. These fistulas can be divided into primary and secondary forms, depending on the presence or absence of prior aortic reconstructive surgery, but the secondary form is more common. Typical CT findings, which can overlap with those seen in perigraft infection, aortitis, infected/mycotic aneurysms, perianeurysmal fibrosis, and the immediate post-operative period after placement of a graft, include: Effacement of the fat planes around the aorta, perigraft fluid/soft tissue thickening, ectopic gas, tethering of adjacent thickened bowel loops towards the aortic graft, and in rare cases, extravasation of contrast from the aorta into the involved segment of bowel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, JHOC 3251, 601 N. Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. srsraman3@gmail.com
authors.forename: Siva P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Raman
authors.forename: Aya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kamaya
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Federle
authors.forename: Elliot K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Fishman
mesh_terms: D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D057510:Endovascular Procedures; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery