title: Fistulas of the genitourinary tract: a radiologic review.
abstract: Fistulas of the genitourinary tract have diverse anatomic locations, causes, and clinical features. They can involve the upper urinary tract (kidney, ureter), the lower urinary tract (bladder, urethra), or the female reproductive tract (vagina, uterus). Causes include infection, inflammatory disease, neoplasms, congenital conditions, trauma, and iatrogenic injury. Diagnosis of genitourinary tract fistulas usually requires radiologic studies performed with fluoroscopic or cross-sectional modalities. Fistulography is the most direct means of visualizing a fistula and should be considered when feasible (eg, cutaneous fistulas). Intravenous urography and pyelography or ureterography are mainstays of investigation of the upper tract. Likewise, voiding cystourethrography and urethrography are central to study of the lower tract. Cross-sectional techniques, in particular computed tomography, are increasingly useful for diagnosis and are considered the primary test in some cases. Radiologists should be familiar with the radiologic features of genitourinary tract fistulas for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Management approaches depend on the type of fistula, the degree of morbidity, and the overall functional status of the patient and vary from conservative observation to aggressive surgical repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10833 LeConte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1721, USA.
authors.forename: Nam C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Steven S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Raman
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Barbaric
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D009392:Nephrectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D001747:Urinary Bladder Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014548:Urinary Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014624:Vaginal Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging