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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2002;21:358-360
© 2002 Elsevier Science NL

Case report

Fistulae of the internal thoracic vessels: report of two cases

^a Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Rm 2267, NHI Site, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3A7
^b Department of Radiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3A7
^c Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3A7

Received 21 August 2001; received in revised form 23 November 2001; accepted 23 November 2001.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-902-473-3808; fax: +1-902-473-4448
e-mail: imtiaz.ali{at}dal.ca

Arteriovenous fistulae involving the internal thoracic vessels are extremely rare. The multiple causes, variable clinical presentation, and inconsistent delay of onset of clinical symptoms in addition to their rarity make their diagnosis difficult. However, the complications of untreated internal thoracic fistulae are potentially fatal, emphasizing the need to make a prompt and correct diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made and the investigational workup complete, treatment consists of either surgical ligation and excision or percutaneous transcatheter embolization. We report two cases of patients with internal thoracic fistulae: one arising as a complication of a tube thoracostomy and the other following an anterior thoracotomy. The second case report describes a rupture of the internal thoracic fistulae, a complication not reported earlier.

Key Words: Fistula • Internal thoracic vessels • Angiography • Ligation • Embolization

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. A. Saad Re: Fistula of the internal thoracic vessels: report of two cases Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., July 1, 2002; 22(1): 162 - 162. [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Hassan and I. S. Ali Reply to Saad Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., July 1, 2002; 22(1): 163 - 163. [Full Text] [PDF]