Massive Upper Airway Bleeding: A Rare Case of Aortobronchial Fistula

Authors

  • Paola Gudiel Arriaza Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas. Universidad de León. Léon.
  • Amparo Sánchez Serrano Servicio de Neumología. Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca. Salamanca.
  • Jorge Marques do Vale Serviço de Pneumologia. Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu. Viseu.
  • Isabel Gil Pereira Serviço de Pneumologia. Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu. Viseu.
  • António Simões Torres Serviço de Pneumologia. Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu. Viseu.
  • Maria José Martín Sánchez Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico. Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca. Salamanca.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.6842

Keywords:

Aortic Diseases, Bronchial Fistula, Endovascular Procedures, Hemoptysis.

Abstract

Clinical presentation of haemoptysis and haematemesis often generates confusion, becoming a difficult task to determine the source of upper airway bleeding. Aortobronchial fistula is a rare entity, but has been a reported complication in patients that have undergone aortic vascular surgery. A high clinical suspicion is fundamental to making this diagnosis. A 69 year old male, with a previous diagnosis of chronic gastritis, is admitted to the emergency room for vomiting blood. In the first 24 hours after admission, the patient develops respiratory insufficiency after an episode of massive bleeding from his mouth. A computed tomography is performed, which shows a descending thoracic aortic aneurism and signs of aortobronchial fistula. Urgent thoracic endovascular repair was performed. Early symptoms of aortobronchial fistulae are nonspecific which complicates the diagnosis and can lead to treatment delay. The use of bronchoscopy in these cases is controversial.

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Published

2016-06-30

How to Cite

1.
Gudiel Arriaza P, Sánchez Serrano A, Marques do Vale J, Gil Pereira I, Simões Torres A, Martín Sánchez MJ. Massive Upper Airway Bleeding: A Rare Case of Aortobronchial Fistula. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2016 Jun. 30 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];29(6):409-12. Available from: https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/6842

Issue

Section

Case Report