title: A rare presentation of bilateral spontaneous superficial femoral arteriovenous fistulas.
abstract: Spontaneous arteriovenous fistulas are a rare clinical entity with very few cases reported in the literature. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is crucial and can prevent further complications in such patients. We report a case of a patient who presented with progressive bilateral claudication, discolouration of feet, hypaesthesia and non-healing ulcers. The patient had no history of trauma, aneurysm or surgery. After abnormal non-invasive studies, a peripheral angiogram revealed significant disease and obstruction of bilateral superficial femoral arteries. Spontaneous bilateral femoral arteriovenous fistulas were also found incidentally. After discussing the risks and benefits of multiple treatment options with the patient, percutaneous intervention with orbital atherectomy, balloon angioplasty and covered stent placements were performed. This treatment improved the patient's symptoms significantly.
authors.affiliation: Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: Inyong
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: Kavita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bomb
authors.affiliation: Medicine, Department of Cardiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: Raza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Askari
authors.affiliation: Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: Rami N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Khouzam
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D017073:Atherectomy; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D015607:Stents