Congenital aorto-azygous fistula treated with coil embolization: case report and review of the literature.

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 successful.