Arteriovenous fistulas between the aorta and the azygous vein
usually manifest as a continuous audible murmur mimicking a
patent ductus arteriosus when observed at birth. Symptoms when
present during childhood are related to dyspnea or cardiac insufficiency. Embolotherapy of congenital vascular malformations is
possible. However when this less invasive treatment fails, surgical
treatment is sometimes necessary. We describe the case of a 12-
year-old child with a large thoracic arteriovenous fistula between
the descending thoracic aorta and the azygous vein, which was
closed successfully by coil embolization. Available data in the
literature suggest that coil embolization of aorto-azygous fistulas is
usually succesful.
