Ileo-Cavernosal Fistula after Radiotherapy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Fistula is an abnormal connection between two hollow spaces that are lined with epithelial cells. Fistulas are usually caused by injury or surgery, but radiation, infection or inflammation may also result in fistula formation. There are quite a few different types of fistula in human body. Gastrointestinal tract fistulas (GIF) may have various clinical presentation, etiology, and morbidity. Because definitions can be various on the literature perry and colleagues recommends to categorize GIF into two groups as congenital and acquired GIF. Acquired GIF can be classified as external or cutaneous if they connect with the skin or internal if they involve other organ systems including genitourinary system. Here we present anextremely unusual case of an internal gastrointestinal fistula -ileopenilecorpus cavernosum fistula, developingafter External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature demonstrating an ileo-corpus cavernosum fistula after EBRT.