COLOVESICULAR FISTULA

Course overview

THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF COLOVESICULAR FISTULAS IS THE SEQUELAE OF COMPLICATED DIVERTICULITIS AND ACCOUNTS FOR OVER TWO-THIRDS OF CASES. THE SECOND MOST COMMON CAUSE IS A MALIGNANCY IN 10% TO 20% OF CASES AND IS USUALLY ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE COLON. CROHN COLITIS IS THE THIRD MOST COMMON CAUSE (5% TO 7% OF CASES) AND USUALLY IS A RESULT OF LONG-STANDING DISEASE. OTHER LESS COMMON CAUSES OF COLOVESICULAR FISTULAS ARE IATROGENIC INJURY SECONDARY TO SURGERY OR PROCEDURES, PELVIC RADIATION, ABDOMINAL TRAUMA, AND TUBERCULOSIS (TB). THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE CLINICAL EVALUATION OF COLOVESICULAR FISTULAS AND EXPLAINS THE ROLE OF THE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL TEAM IN COORDINATING THE CARE OF PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.