Bleeding from an arterio-esophageal fistula is a rare and nearly lethal condition and surgical treatment is the only curative option. We report a case of bleeding from a fistula from an aberrant right subclavian artery to the esophagus. Diagnosis was made only at necropsy, despite of three previous laparotomies. This anatomical variation is found in 0.5% of the general population. Development of a communication between this artery and the esophagus, secondary to aneurysmatic dilatation or to prolonged nasogastric intubation, as probably occurred with this patient, is a extremely rare condition. Surgical treatment depends on the early recognition of clinical signs of the arterio-esophageal comunication, before the onset of systemic complications of hypovolemic shock.
Esophageal fistula; Gastrointestinal bleeding; Endoscopy
