Aorta-left renal vein fistula complicating an aortic aneurysm: preoperative and postoperative multislice CT findings

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2007 May-Jun;30(3):485-7. doi: 10.1007/s00270-006-0025-8.

Abstract

Fistulas complicating an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are rare, and fistulas involving the left renal vein are particularly uncommon. We highlight here a fistula between an infrarenal aortic aneurysm and a retroaortic left renal vein, revealed by left flank pain associated with hematuria and acute renal failure. The multislice CT angiography performed in this 68-year-old patient revealed communication and equal enhancement between the aorta and the left gonadic vein, suggesting the presence of a fistula. The three-dimensional VRT reconstructions presented in this case were of great value in the preoperative planning, enabling immediate visualization of this unusual feature. Alternative diagnoses to consider when encountering this clinical presentation are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / surgery
  • Aortic Rupture / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aortic Rupture / surgery
  • Aortography*
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / diagnostic imaging*
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / surgery
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation*
  • Collateral Circulation / physiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Genitalia, Male / blood supply*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Kidney / blood supply
  • Kidney Function Tests
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, Spiral Computed*
  • Varicocele / diagnostic imaging*
  • Varicocele / surgery