Successful surgery for secondary aortoduodenal fistula based on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography findings

Abstract

Secondary aortoduodenal fistula (sADF) is a critical late complication of abdominal aortic repair, requiring complete excision of the infected prosthesis. However, this is a highly invasive procedure for the elderly. We describe a case of sADF repair in a 76-year-old woman. Through 18F (fluorine-18)-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography mapping, focal high FDG uptake at the sADF site, right medial limb, and ligated left lateral limb of the prosthesis was detected. The duodenal and prosthetic grafts were partially resected. The proximal and distal anastomotic segments, with no FDG uptake, were retained. The abdominal aorta was reconstructed using a bovine pericardium roll and femorofemoral bypass. Thus, FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography mapping of the infection site could help in such cases.

Keywords

• Aortoduodenal fistula
• 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET
• Infection mapping