Tubercular aortitis presenting as primary aortoenteric fistula: Report of an uncommon case

Abstract

Tubercular aortitis presenting as primary aortoenteric fistula (AEF) is a rare entity. We present a 78-year-old male who presented with upper gastrointestinal bleed and also had abdominal pain and pulsating abdominal mass and on evaluation was found to have tubercular AEF which was successfully repaired with surgery and the patient recovered with antitubercular therapy along with the surgery. This case highlights the importance of high index of suspicion with early institution of surgical repair along with antitubercular therapy for tubercular AEF with good results.

Keywords: Fistula; surgical repair; tubercular; upper gastrointestinal bleed.