The Physical Examination Does Matter: A Case of Spontaneous Aortocaval Fistula

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Rupak Desai, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Mikhail Akbashev, Emory University; Leon Rubinsztain, Emory University; Andro Kacharava, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-07-11
• Publisher: Cureus, Inc.
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2017, Desai et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.1459
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Cureus
• ISSN: 2168-8184
• Keywords: physical examination; endovascular therapy; aortocaval fistula; iliac artery aneurysm
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, General; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

A spontaneous aortocaval fistula is a rare complication of abdominal aortic aneurysms. In 50 percent of the patients, it presents with the classic signs of a pulsatile abdominal mass, continuous bruit, and low back pain. A high degree of clinical suspicion and a well-performed physical examination are important for its timely diagnosis.