Endovascular repair of an inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm complicated by aortoduodenal fistulation with an unusual presentation

J Vasc Surg. 2001 Apr;33(4):874-9. doi: 10.1067/mva.2001.112328.

Abstract

Aortoenteric fistulation (AEF) is a well-documented late complication of open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, occurring in between 0.4% and 4% of cases. In the absence of an anastomosis, AEF is likely to be rare after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and has only recently been described in the literature as a result of mechanical stent failure or migration. We present the case of a 61-year-old man who underwent EVAR for an AAA with a "nonspecific" periaortic inflammatory mass. Six months postoperatively, an AEF developed, presenting with metastatic sepsis followed by septic infective thromboembolization to his right leg, and amputation was necessary. His stent was well positioned and mechanically intact. We emphasize the need for vigilance about the risk of AEF when adopting an endovascular approach to repair the AAA with a nonspecific periaortic inflammatory mass and highlight the need for awareness about the unusual septic manifestations of AEF.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / complications
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / pathology
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / therapy*
  • Aortic Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Diseases / etiology*
  • Duodenal Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Duodenal Diseases / etiology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / diagnosis
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / surgery
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Intestinal Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Intestinal Fistula / etiology*
  • Klebsiella Infections / diagnosis
  • Klebsiella Infections / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / diagnosis
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / surgery
  • Stents / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vascular Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Vascular Fistula / etiology*