Aorto-enteric fistulae: the role of radiology.

Four patients with aorto-enteric fistulae are reported and a fifth case of jejunal ulceration is included, which is thought to be the early state of fistula formation. The clinical presentation and radiological investigation of these patients is described and discussed. The most important presenting symptom is of bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. Analysis of the pre-operative investigations showed that barium studies were diagnostic in each of the cases. The important role of the radiologist, in making the diagnosis of an aortoenteric fistula in patients who have had aortic reconstructive surgery, is emphasised.