Superior Mesenteric Arteriovenous Fistula: an Unusual Cause of Ascites
KK Wong, JSW Wong, WK Tso, KS Tai
Hong Kong J Radiol 2007;10:77-80
Superior mesenteric arteriovenous fistulae are rare. They are usually associated with previous penetrating abdominal trauma or surgery. Patients may present with ascites or gastrointestinal bleeding. This report is of a patient with postoperative refractory ascites. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan and digital subtraction angiogram showed a communication between the superior mesenteric artery and the dilated superior mesenteric vein. A superior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula can be treated with either surgical ligation or endovascular embolisation, with the latter successfully performed for this patient.