Uretero-arterial fistula: two observations.

Two cases of life-threatening haematuria, secondary to an uretero-arterial fistula, are reported. Both cases present predisposing causative factors. One patient had a combination of previous aorto-bifemoral bypass grafting, an iliac artery aneurysm (retrogradely perfused), and an indwelling ureteral stent for ureteral compression. The other patient had previous aortoiliac surgery and obstructive uropathy with chronic urinary tract infection. Preoperative diagnosis of uretero-arterial fistula was made in only one patient. He was successfully operated (exclusion of the iliac aneurysm). In the other patient, nephrectomy was attempted to control reno-ureteral bleeding of unknown origin. Fatal recidive of brisk haematuria occurred some days later. Factors contributing to the development of uretero-arterial fistula, their diagnosis and optimal treatment are discussed