Spontaneous enterocutaneous fistula due to colonic malignancy: A rare case report

Abstract

Spontaneous colocutaneous fistula is a rare clinical entity usually associated with diseases like diverticulitis, crohn's disease and post radiotherapy treated malignancy. This case illustrates the challenges of diagnosis and management of such patients. We present a 60-year old lady who had a lump in left lumbar region which started discharging feculent material ten day prior to presentation. There was history of progressively worsening constipation and weight loss but no rectal bleeding or jaundice. There was a necrotic patch with feculent discharge from left lumbar region with underlying lump that was 5 Χ 4 cm, firm, non-tender and immobile. Following complete evaluation including abdomino-pelvic ultrasound that revealed an ill-defined mass arising from sigmoid colon, a diagnosis of colocutaneous fistula secondary to colonic malignancy was made. After resuscitation, the patient had exploration and Hartmann's procedure. Histopathology confirmed growth as adenocarcinoma and patient was placed on chemotherapy. We present this case to illustrate the challenges of diagnosis and management of such patients.