CT of aortoenteric fistulas

Abstract

We compared CT findings with endoscopic, angiographic and surgical results in ten patients suspected of having an aortoenteric fistula (AEF) because of gastrointestinal bleeding (seven) or recurrent sepsis (three). CT correctly diagnosed AEF in six patients and excluded it in the other four. CT findings of AEF consisted of perigraft fluid (PGF) (5/6) and/or gas within the bed of the graft (4/6) later than three months after graft surgery. All six patients with AEF had perigraft infections; PGF with gas was found in 50%, PGF alone in 33%, and in one patient perigraft gas alone was found. Angiography and endoscopy failed to identify AEF. Our findings indicate that CT should be the initial imaging procedure in patients with suspected AEF who do not require immediate surgical intervention.