Aorto-enteric fistulas: A physiopathological approach and computed tomography diagnosis - 10/11/12
Abstract |
Infection of an abdominal aortic prosthesis with an enteroprosthetic fistula is a very serious, life-threatening complication, leading sometimes to severe functional consequences, the most serious being amputation. Since the symptoms, if there are any, are often rather non-specific, diagnosis is frequently difficult and has always to be based on a whole series of justifications. Early diagnosis is essential and this fistula should be the first possibility considered in a patient with an abdominal aortic prosthesis who is presenting rectorrhagia or melaena (even if only to a slight degree), sepsis and/or abdominal pain. Although rare, the clinical existence of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy may assist diagnosis. A CT scan is the examination of choice, the criteria providing evidence of a fistula being the presence of gaseous images in a periprosthetic fluid collection, thickening and/or retraction of the intestinal walls in contact, the existence of a false aneurysm, and finally, very rarely, extravasation of contrast agent into the intestinal lumen. The differential diagnoses that may mimic a fistula need to be well known, and can include retroperitoneal fibrosis, an infectious aneurysm, inflammatory or infectious aortitis, and above all, a ‘simple’ prosthesis infection without fistulisation.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Fistula, Aorta, Prosthesis, CT scan
Plan
Vol 93 - N° 11
P. 840-851 - novembre 2012 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.