Iliac Artery-Uretero-Colonic Fistula Presenting as Severe Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage and Hematuria: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Arterioenteric fistulas represent an infrequent but potentially fatal cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Patients often present in extremis from shock and sepsis. This mandates a rapid diagnosis so that prompt, potentially life-saving interventions can be performed. We report the case of a 35-year-old man who presented with hematuria and hematochezia secondary to an iliac artery-uretero-colonic fistula that developed years after open common iliac artery aneurysm repair. His condition rapidly progressed to hemorrhagic shock, and he underwent successful endovascular treatment with a covered stent graft as a bridge to definitive open surgery. Subsequently, graft explantation, extra-anatomic arterial bypass, bowel resection, and ureter ligation was undertaken. A summary of the literature on iliac artery-enteric fistulas follows.