Case: Aberrant right subclavian artery-esophageal fistula is a rare, but fatal, complication. A 55-year-old febrile man with a nasogastric feeding tube developed sudden massive hematemesis and shock. Outcome: Upper endoscopy revealed an intragastric hematoma with no active bleeding observed except for oozing from an esophageal tear. Enhanced computed tomography scan detected aberrant right subclavian artery but was unable to determine the bleeding source. Repeat endoscopy carried out on day 2 confirmed hemostasis and the disappearance of the intragastric hematoma. However, the patient suddenly developed recurrent massive hematemesis with refractory shock on day 4 and died. Postmortem computed tomography revealed endoscopic clips in contiguity with aberrant right subclavian artery; a final diagnosis of aberrant right subclavian artery-esophageal fistula was made. Conclusion: Our case demonstrates aberrant right subclavian artery-esophageal fistula may present with transient spontaneous hematemesis in a state of shock, possibly related to fever of unknown origin, and is challenging to diagnose by repeated endoscopy once hematemesis develops.
Case: Aberrant right subclavian artery-esophageal fistula is a rare, but fatal, complication. A 55-year-old febrile man with a nasogastric feeding tube developed sudden massive hematemesis and shock. Outcome: Upper endoscopy revealed an intragastric hematoma with no active bleeding observed except for oozing from an esophageal tear. Enhanced computed tomography scan detected aberrant right subclavian artery but was unable to determine the bleeding source. Repeat endoscopy carried out on day 2 confirmed hemostasis and the disappearance of the intragastric hematoma. However, the patient suddenly developed recurrent massive hematemesis with refractory shock on day 4 and died. Postmortem computed tomography revealed endoscopic clips in contiguity with aberrant right subclavian artery; a final diagnosis of aberrant right subclavian artery-esophageal fistula was made. Conclusion: Our case demonstrates aberrant right subclavian artery-esophageal fistula may present with transient spontaneous hematemesis in a state of shock, possibly related to fever of unknown origin, and is challenging to diagnose by repeated endoscopy once hematemesis develops.
Authors: B Lehmann; I Clemetson; A C Fantin; P Henning; B Kipfer; R Mühlethaler; G Vetsch; H-P Dinkel Journal: Endoscopy Date: 2006-07 Impact factor: 10.093
Authors: Rolando T Pinho; Luisa S Proença; Ana P Silva; Sónia S Fernandes; Jose C Fraga Journal: Gastrointest Endosc Date: 2006-05-19 Impact factor: 9.427
Authors: R G Miller; D K Robie; S L Davis; D A Cooley; W J Klish; M D Skolkin; D L Kearney; T Jaksic Journal: J Vasc Surg Date: 1996-08 Impact factor: 4.268