Aortoesophageal fistula
A case report of a fatal case
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.16925/cf.v4i1.1960Keywords:
autopsy, aortoesophageal fistula, gastrointestinal bleeding, sudden death, case reportAbstract
Introduction: Aortoesophageal fistula ( AEF ) is considered a rare entity, highly lethal, which usually occurs as a sudden death in most cases, which motivates judicial investigation and medical-legal autopsy. The purpose of this case report was to emphasize autopsy findings in this cause of death, which allows rural physicians or forensic experts to seek and recognize the macroscopic morphological criteria of AEF and thus make a precise diagnosis of this entity. Methods and materials: Review of written information, standard dissection performed which, due to the findings, warranted a complete and detailed examination of the cardiopulmonary and gastrointestinal block as a whole. Case history: The case of a 53-year-old man who died suddenly after a hematemesis event is presented. An autopsy shows an AEF by perforating ulcer of the anterior wall of the descending aorta due to a complicated atheromatous plaque. We analyzed the different etiopathogenic processes and the autopsy procedures that led to this conclusion. Results and discussion: An AEF is reported in this case, death is caused by hypovolemic shock associated with respiratory failure due to blood bronchoaspiration and, aetiologically, a complicated atheromatous plaque is identified with ulcer and rupture towards the esophagus, corresponding to frequent causes in global reports. Conclusion: AEF should be suspected in cases of sudden death with a history of hematemesis and hematic gastric distension at the time of autopsy.
Author Biographies
Mabel Bohórquez Lozano, Universidad del Tolima
Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia
Javier Vélez Ruíz, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses
Universidad del Tolima
Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses, Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia
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