Aortobronchial fistula secondary to chronic post-traumatic thoracic aneurysm.

FERNANDEZ GONZALEZ, ANGEL; MONTERO, JOSE A.; LUNA, DANIEL R.; GIL, OSCAR; SANJUAN, VICENTE; MONZONIS, AMPARO M.

TEXAS HEART INSTITUTE JOURNAL

TEXAS HEART INST

Año: 1996

0730-2347

A few patients with traumatic aortic laceration remain undiagnosed and survive long enough to develop a chronic aneurysm. Such aneurysms are frequently asymptomatic; alternatively, they may manifest themselves in the form of chest pain, dysphonia, dysphagia, bronchial irritation, or sudden death. A case of aortobronchial fistula secondary to a chronic post-traumatic aneurysm of the aortic isthmus is presented. Hemoptysis was the main sign. The affected segment of the thoracic aorta was replaced with a Dacron graft and a left superior lobectomy was performed. Nevertheless, the patient died during the postoperative period due to adult respiratory distress syndrome. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of aortobronchial fistulae are discussed.