Benign duodenocolic fistula: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Duodenocolic fistula is a rare upper gastrointestinal fistula that can be benign or malignant. However, benign duodenocolic fistulas are particularly rare. Duodenocolic fistulas are often a complication of advanced colon cancer. The most common cause of benign fistulas is perforation of the duodenal ulcer. We report a case of a benign duodenocolic fistula in a patient who presented with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Gastroscopy and an upper gastrointestinal study confirmed the presence of the fistula. Surgery was performed, and the pathological examination demonstrated that the fistula originated from a duodenal ulcer.

A Fork in the Road: An Unusual Case of Duodenal-Cecal Fistula Due to a Chronic Foreign Body

“…Benign causes of duodenal-cecal fistulas include peptic ulcer disease in particular perforated duodenal ulcers [ 6 ], Crohn’s disease [ 7 ], duodenal diverticulum, tuberculosis, acute cholecystitis, pancreatitis, complication post gastrectomy, and, less commonly, a swallowed foreign body. There have been reported causes of perforated duodenal ulcers resulting in the formation of duodenocolic fistulas [ 6 , 8 ]. Symptoms can typically arise from malignancy or from the fistula itself, with symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and significant weight loss [ 9 ].…”