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