Alf. Gonzalez et al., AORTOBRONCHIAL FISTULA SECONDARY TO CHRONIC POSTTRAUMATIC THORACIC ANEURYSM, Texas Heart Institute journal, 23(2), 1996, pp. 174-177
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 chro
nic post-traumatic aneurysm of the aortic isthmus is presented. Hemopt
ysis was the main sign. The affected segment of the thoracic aorta was
replaced with a Dacron graft and a left superior lobectomy was perfor
med. Nevertheless, the patient died during the postoperative period du
e to adult respiratory distress syndrome. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and
management of aortobronchial fistulae are discussed.