title: Vesicocutaneous fistula following adjuvant radiotherapy for prostate cancer.
abstract: Vesicocutaneous fistulas (VCF) are a rare complication of radical radiotherapy to the pelvis. Timely diagnosis and management are often difficult and complex. We report the unusual case of a 64-year-old gentleman who presented to the emergency department with worsening sepsis and profuse discharge from a cutaneous opening in the left groin. This presentation was 6 weeks following the completion of external beam radiotherapy for apical margin-positive prostate cancer (pT3a). A diagnosis of a VCF was confirmed after CT scanning of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast. Urinary diversion was achieved by a temporary urethral catheter insertion. Full resolution of this gentleman's symptoms was accomplished. In this article, we present a non-invasive approach to the management of VCF. This case raises intricate management issues in the atypical development of an early urinary tract fistula postradiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Craigavon Area Hospital, Portadown, UK. derek.hennessey@gmail.com
authors.forename: Derek Barry
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Hennessey
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bolton
authors.forename: Arun Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lynch
mesh_terms: D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014548:Urinary Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy