Aortobronchial fistula presenting as recurrent hemoptysis and successfully treated with an endovascular stent graft

Endovascular Repair of Aortobronchial Fistula due to Saccular Aneurysm of Thoracic Aorta

Aortobronchial fistula (ABF) is a rare condition which can be lethal if left untreated. Open surgical treatment carries high morbidity and mortality. Recent advances in endovascular technology have made thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) the treatment of choice. We present a successful endovascular repair of aortobronchial fistula due to a saccular aneurysm of descending thoracic aorta.

Endoluminal Stent-Graft Repair of Aortobronchial Fistulas: Bridging or Definitive Long-Term Solution?

Purpose:

To describe our experience with endoluminal stent-graft repair of aortobronchial fistulas (ABF) and to analyze midterm results focusing on late chronic graft infections, secondary conversion, and survival.

Methods:

The records of 8 patients (6 men; mean age 69 years, range 28–88) treated between March 1997 and October 2003 for traumatic and postsurgical ABFs were reviewed. Seven presented with hemoptysis and 1 with hemorrhagic shock. According to the severity of emergency, patients underwent computed tomography, angiography, bronchoscopy, and transesophageal echocardiography. Preoperatively, no clinical signs of infection were evident. Two different stent-graft models (Talent and Excluder) were implanted using standard endovascular techniques.

Results:

Procedural and clinical success was achieved in all patients. Paraplegia, secondary intervention, conversion, or procedure-related death was not observed. Mean follow-up was 30 months (range 0.6–77). One patient with a postsurgical ABF (Dacron tube graft) successfully treated with an Excluder stent-graft died 13 months later from hemorrhage secondary to aortoesophageal fistula repair procedures. A second patient died from pneumonia after 42 months. A third patient, in whom 2 Talent stent-grafts had been implanted to treat an ABF from the false lumen of a type B dissection, died 7 months later from massive hemorrhage.

Conclusions:

Endoluminal stent-grafting of ABF is feasible and the preferred method of treatment. Secondary conversion due to endograft infection is not absolutely mandatory, but close surveillance is necessary.

Intermittent Haemoptysis due to an Aortobronchial Fistula in a Warmblood Mare

A 7-year-old warmblood mare showed sudden onset of mild intermittent haemoptysis. Clinical examination revealed no significant abnormalities. Haematological examination showed mild anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and neutrophilia. Coagulation tests were normal. Endoscopic examination revealed unilateral pulmonary haemorrhage with blood clots in the bronchi and trachea. Treatment with antibiotics was started and the horse was given stable rest. Two weeks later, the horse was found dead with blood and frothy sputum leaking from the nostrils. Post-mortem examination revealed a large thoracic aortic aneurysm communicating with a pseudoaneurysm that had formed a fistula into a right bronchial branch. Microscopical examination of the aneurysm showed extensive medial fibrosis with prominent degeneration, fragmentation and mineralization of the elastic fibres and deposition of mucoid material in the tunica media. The pseudoaneurysm was lined by collagen bundles admixed with fibroblasts and a small amount of adipose tissue. Aortobronchial fistula is a rare condition in man that is usually associated with primary aortic pathology, most often aneurysms. To the authors' knowledge this is the first case of a fatal aortobronchial fistula in a horse or any other animal species.

Fatal aortobronchial fistula

Aortobronchial fistula is a rare condition characterized by the development of a communication between the aorta and a branch of the bronchial tree that results from processes that arise within the aorta, in the tissues of the mediastinum, or in the adjacent thoracic organs. Three cases are reported to demonstrate characteristic features. Case 1: An 82-year-old woman was found collapsed with blood clot in her mouth. At autopsy an atherosclerotic thoracic aortic aneurysm was found which had eroded into the underlying left main bronchus with filling of the larynx, trachea and main bronchi with fluid blood. There was no evidence of dissection. Case 2: A 30-year-old woman collapsed and died. At autopsy, coarctation of the thoracic aorta was found with a saccular aneurysm distal to this which was joined to the left main bronchus by a mass of necrotic tissue. The bronchus contained a cast of blood; blood was also present within the trachea and within the distal airways of the left lung. Case 3: A six-year-old girl collapsed with massive airway haemorrhage following bronchoscopy. At autopsy coarctation of the thoracic aorta was identified with a saccular aneurysm distal to this. A transverse tear of the thinned aneurysm wall communicated with a mass of necrotic friable tissue that extended through the wall of the left main bronchus. Distal airways were filled with fluid blood. All three deaths were due to haemorrhage from aortobronchial fistulas. The pathogenesis of aortobronchial fistulas involves a variety of mechanical, infective and neoplastic processes. Many cases will not be diagnosed until autopsy examination is performed.

Staged management of a primary aortobronchial fistula: a novel approach using a trapezius flap repair

There have been few reported cases of management of an aortobronchial fistula. We describe the case of a 68 year-old male with a very high operative risk who had a successful staged management of a primary aortobronchial fistula. An endovascular stent was placed initially, however due to recurrence of the fistula a second stent was deployed within the first one some three months after. Fifteen months later he represented with massive haemoptysis, severe cachexia and at this stage the best course of surgical management was thought to be lobectomy via thoracotomy followed by trapezius flap overlay covering the exposed stent and separating it from the remaining lung.

Unusual complications of endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta: MDCT findings

With the development of minimally invasive surgical techniques, endovascular stent-graft placement has become an accepted and widely used alternative to the traditional surgical repair of aortic disease and is gaining acceptance as the treatment of choice. Many studies show that endovascular stent-graft therapy is safe and effective, although complications related to this treatment are also recognised. Although the incidence of major complication is low, neurological sequelae remain the major concern of endovascular repair. With growing experience, however, the spectrum of mid- and long-term complications has broadened to include potentially disastrous events, other than paraplegia or stroke, that require diligent surveillance. Three-dimensional data sets acquired quickly by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) allow multiplanar reformations and 3D viewing, as well as quantitative assessment of vessel lumens, walls and surroundings. Although a large portion of radiologists will not be involved in the actual endograft deployment, many will be involved in the interpretation of postprocedural surveillance studies. Accordingly, the goal of this report is to summarise our experience with the presentation, diagnostic approach, management and outcomes of these unusual, but potentially catastrophic, postendovascular aortic repair complications to highlight their significance and increase familiarity with them among the imaging community. Increasing awareness of these complications may facilitate rapid diagnosis and/or triage and treatment.

Tratamento endovascular de pseudoaneurisma de aorta torácica com fístula aorto-brônquica em pós-operatório tardio de cirurgia de correção de coarctação de aorta

Fístula aorto-brônquica é uma conexão entre a aorta e o brônquio, e mesmo quando imediatamente reconhecida e tratada possui alto risco de letalidade. Pode se desenvolver após cirurgias de aorta, e é geralmente uma consequência de pseudoaneurisma. A hemoptise, massiva ou intermitente, é o principal sintoma apresentado. O tratamento convencional da fístula aorto-brônquica é a cirurgia aberta de aorta torácica, com reconstrução traqueobrônquica. Recentemente, o reparo endovascular tem sido proposto como uma alternativa. Os autores apresentam um relato de tratamento endovascular, realizado com êxito, de pseudoaneurisma de aorta torácica com fístula aorto-brônquica 22 anos após cirurgia para correção de coarctação aórtica.

Outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair for aortobronchial and aortoesophageal fistulas

PURPOSE

To identify in-hospital and follow-up outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for aortobronchial fistula (ABF) and aortoesophageal fistula (AEF).

METHODS

The authors reviewed all published cases of ABF and AEF undergoing TEVAR indexed in the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library CENTRAL, and EMBASE databases. After removal of duplicates, 850 articles were scrutinized for relevance and validity. Exclusion criteria included: (1) no clear description of the organs involved with the fistula, (2) no description of outcomes after TEVAR for ABF or AEF, or (3) no original data presented in the article. In this manner, 66 relevant articles were identified that included original data on 114 patients (76 men; mean age 63+/-1.5 years) with ABF (n = 71) or AEF (n = 43). Meta-analyses were performed to investigate outcomes of TEVAR for ABF and AEF.

RESULTS

Patients with AEF presented more frequently with hypovolemic shock (33% versus 13%, p = 0.012) and systemic infection (36% versus 9%, p<0.001) compared to patients with ABF. In-hospital mortality was 3% (n = 2) after TEVAR for ABF and 19% (n = 8) after TEVAR for AEF (p = 0.004). Additional thoracic surgery in the first 30 days after TEVAR was performed in 3% (n = 2) of ABF patients and in 37% (n = 16) of AEF patients (p<0.001); 12 AEF patients who had received esophageal surgery in the first month after TEVAR showed lower fistula-related mortality during 6 months of follow-up compared to patients who did not receive additional esophageal surgery (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

TEVAR is associated with superior outcomes in patients with ABF. Endovascular management of AEF is associated with poor results and should not be considered definitive treatment. TEVAR could serve as a bridge to surgery for emergency cases of AEF only, with definitive open surgical correction of the fistula undertaken as soon as possible.

Have we gone too far? Endovascular stent-graft repair of aortobronchial fistulas

OBJECTIVE

Although endovascular repair of the descending thoracic aorta has emerged as a viable treatment option, little is known about its potential to treat patients diagnosed with aortobronchial fistulas. We reviewed our comprehensive thoracic endografting experience with regard to the endovascular management and subsequent outcome of patients with aortobronchial fistulas to assess whether endoluminal graft repair is a realistic option.

METHODS

Between February 2000 and November 2005, 255 patients were successfully treated with an endoluminal graft to the descending thoracic aorta. Indications for intervention included: atherosclerotic aneurysms (109/255, 42.7%), acute and chronic dissections (75/255, 29.4%), miscellaneous (34/255, 13.3%), penetrating aortic ulcers (30/255, 11.8%), and aortobronchial fistulas (7/255, 2.7%).

RESULTS

Average patient age was 73.4 +/- 10.1 years, with 4 male patients (4/7, 57.1%) and 3 female patients (3/7, 42.9%). All patients presented with hemoptysis, with 1 patient (1/7, 14.3%) requiring preoperative blood transfusion. Three patients (3/7, 42.9%) were diagnosed with atherosclerotic aneurysms, 3 patients (3/7, 42.9%) had pseudoaneurysms associated with prior open surgical repair, and 1 patient (1/7, 14.3%) had a prior endoluminal graft placed for a traumatic aortic transection. No standard postoperative antibiotic regimen was followed. There were no endoleaks, no incidences of paraplegia, and no endoluminal graft infections. Survival was 100% (7/7) at both 30 days and 1 year, and all patients are currently alive. Follow-up computed tomography was available for all 7 patients, with an average follow-up of 42.6 +/- 28.5 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular management of aortobronchial fistulas appears to be safe and well tolerated, even in surgically high-risk patients, with minimal risk of prosthesis infection. Long-term surveillance and continued investigation are warranted.

Successful Treatment of an Aorto-Ileal-Conduit Fistula with an Endovascular Stent Graft: Report of a Case

A 55-year-old man presented with a massive hemorrhage from the ileal conduit of the left ureter. He had previously undergone a total pelvic exenteration with ileal conduit construction of the ureters due to rectal carcinoma. A right ureteroarterial fistula developed, and he underwent an excision of the right common iliac artery with a femorofemoral bypass and a right cutaneous ureterostomy. Seven months later, a pseudoaneurysm developed at the aortic stump, followed by an aorto-ileal-conduit fistula. The patient was treated successfully with endovascular stent grafting and has since showed a good recovery no sign of graft infection or a recurrence of hematuria at the 10-month follow-up.

[Recurrent hemoptysis secondary to an aortobronchial fistula]

Aortobronchial fistula is a rare but serious cause of hemoptysis. It can develop from an aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta in the context of infections or it may appear as a sequel of surgical repair of congenital heart defects. Presenting symptoms include mild bronchial hemorrhages and recurrent chest pain, culminating in a normally fatal massive hemorrhage. Diagnosis by imaging is not always conclusive and clinical suspicion based on medical history is essential. Surgical placement of an endovascular stent graft is the treatment of choice. Post-surgical prognosis is good although there is a risk of recurrence in the case of superinfection.

[Aortobronchial fistulas]

INTRODUCTION

Aortobronchial fistulas are uncommon but generally fatal if not treated surgically. Haemoptysis is the main symptom of this pathology. STATES OF ART AND PERSPECTIVES: Aortobronchial fistulas occur most commonly in patients with thoracic aneurysms (atherosclerosis, mycotic, aortic surgery's complication...). Main investigation is CT angiography with 2 D and 3 D reconstructions.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular exclusion can be efficient treatment option.