Entero-enteral or enterocutaneous fistula

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Digestive system organs

Gastrointestinal fistula

Entero-enteral fistulas may have no symptoms. Depending on the segments of intestine that are connected, fistulas may cause diarrhea, malabsorption of nutrients, and dehydration. Enterocutaneous fistulas cause leakage of intestinal contents through an opening in the skin.

A contrast swallow study, in which a radio-opaque dye is swallowed by the patient and x-rays taken, often shows the anatomy of the fistula. If the fistula involves the colon, a contrast enema (contrast dye given through the rectum) may be useful.

A CT scan of the abdomen is usually obtained to determine if an abscess -- a walled-off pocket of infection -- is associated with the fistula.

A "fistulogram," in which radio-opaque dye is injected into the opening of the skin of an enterocutaneous fistula and x-rays taken, is often performed as well.

Review Date: 07/14/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.