Aortobronchial fistula is a rare but highly lethal condition. If it is diag nosed, survival rates are greater than 80%; if not, the condition is uniformly fa tal with death usually due to massive hemoptysis. A high index of suspicion is necessary to establish the diagnosis. The most consistent symptoms are hemop tysis (96%) and massive hemoptysis (79%). The most rewarding test is a thoracic aortogram (with a sensitivity of 71 %). Characteristics of this condition, as de scribed in the literature, and an illustrative case are presented.
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