Aortoduodenal fistula. Two case reports and a review of the literature.

Aortoduodenal fistulas (ADF) are relatively rare causes of fatal exsanguination. They occur predominantly in the third and fourth parts of the duodenum. Symptoms of ADF consist of flank or abdominal pain, hematemesis, melena, and an abdominal mass. We report two fatal cases of ADF, one of which includes the afferent loop of a Billroth II anastomosis, an event previously unrecognized, as well as a more conventional case of ADF, involving the third portion of the duodenum.