[Fever and recurrent bacteremia as presentation form of secondary aortoenteric fistula]. / Fiebre y bacteriemia recurrente como forma de presentación de una fístula aortoentérica secundaria.

ABSTRACT

Secondary aortoenteric fistula is a rare complication, although very severe, of aortic revascularization surgery. The major cause is usually infection of the prosthetic material, which may happen short or long after the intervention. The most frequent forms of presentation are digestive hemorrhage, abdominal pain or unpleasantness, shock or other symptoms associated to the compression of adjacent structures. However, as in the present case, symptoms of systemic infection may be the only manifestation, with absence of local signs. This is why a high degree of clinical suspicion is needed. The most useful complementary techniques are computerized tomography, oral endoscopy and, probably, magnetic resonance, along with gammagraphy of indium-marked leukocytes. Therapy must combine long-term systemic antibiotherapy and resection of all infected material, with reconstruction of the vascular continuity following a route far away from the infected area.