Annals of vascular surgery
-
Primary aortoenteric fistula is such a rare condition that even specialist vascular surgeons may not encounter one in their lifetime practice. Any hope of survival depends upon prompt diagnosis and surgical treatment. We present our experience of one such case, particularly the difficulties encountered in confirming the diagnosis, and go on to review the literature on the subject. ⋯ Specialized investigations should not be relied upon to confirm or refute the diagnosis. Any prospect of survival is dependant upon prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention. The latter is only achieved by a high index of clinical suspicion.
-
Many anomalies of the aortic arch and great vessels are uncovered as serendipitous findings on imaging studies, in the anatomy laboratory, or at surgery. A 56-year-old man had an arch angiogram as part of an evaluation for cerebrovascular disease. ⋯ The right common carotid gave rise to the right vertebral artery in the chest while the normally located left vertebral arose from the left subclavian artery. No aneurysm or aortic diverticulum was identified.