Superior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula: report of a case and review of the literature.

Abstract

Iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula of the superior mesenteric vessels is rare, with only 22 cases being documented. We report herein a case of a 63-year-old man with an iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula which developed after a small bowel resection for intestinal tuberculosis. The patient was admitted to our hospital for a gastric ulcer, at which time an ultrasonogram demonstrated cystic dilatation of the superior mesenteric vein, proving to be an arteriovenous fistula of the mesenteric vessels. An angiogram of the superior mesenteric vessels subsequently confirmed this diagnosis and resection of the fistula was performed, followed by an uneventful recovery. Iatrogenic mesenteric arteriovenous fistula with no presenting symptoms, as in our case, is uncommon and surgery performed before the development of associated portal hypertension should achieve good results. A review of the literature follows the report of this case.