Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Due to Rupture of Aortic Aneurysm Into the Esophagus

Rupture of an aortic aneurysm into the gastrointestinal tract has been encountered twice at the Rhode Island hospital during the past 25 years. In one instance, the duodenum was involved, while in the other there was spontaneous rupture of an aneurysm of the descending aorta into the esophagus. This latter is the subject of our report, because it illustrates that the diagnosis of adrticoesophageal fistula should be considered in a patient with gastrointestinal hemorrhage, when an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta is also present. REPORT OF A CASE In September, 1951, a 65-year-old white man was admitted for the sixth time. His chief complaint was hematemesis of 36 hours' duration. He had been admitted to the hospital before because of central nervous system syphilis for which adequate, large doses of penicillin were administered. On admission, the patient was confused and was unable to give a coherent history. The only information