title: Primary coloduodenal fistula in Crohn's disease.
abstract: The posterior surface of the proximal transverse colon and the anterior surface of the descending duodenum are intimately related, predisposing to fistulization in this area. We herein describe a rare case of benign duodenocolic fistula secondary to Crohn's disease. We emphasize the clinical presentation with fecaloid vomiting, as well as the establishment of the diagnosis by endoscopy, which are both extremely rare. The presence of a colonic stricture supports the hypothesis that the disease started in the colon rather than in the duodenum, and mandates surgical rather than medical therapy. Our case illustrates the possibility of coloduodenal fistula in patients with long-standing Crohn's disease, which should be considered in patients presenting with fecaloid vomiting, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), 110 32090, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ihab I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: El-Hajj
authors.forename: Heitham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abdul-Baki
authors.forename: Lara M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: El-Zahabi
authors.forename: Kassem A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Barada
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D003082:Colectomy; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications*; D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology; D015431:Weight Loss