Pancreaticocolonic fistula: a complication of pancreatitis.

In three cases of pancreaticocolonic fistula presenting before the stage of exsanguinating hemorrhage of severe sepsis the problem was diagnosed on the basis of the clinical history, visualization of the terminal part of the fistula by roentgenography after a barium enema had been given and, in two cases, demonstration of the communication with the pancreatic ductal system by endoscopic retrograde pancreatography. The lesions were repaired surgically. Pancreaticocolonic fistula should be suspected in a patient with upper abdominal pain who has a history of abdominal pain and excessive alcohol consumption and in whom diarrhea and fever, hematochezia or a disappearing abdominal mass develops. Characteristically barium will collect in the terminal part of the fistula and thus permit a tentative diagnosis; the diagnosis can then be confirmed by endoscopic retrograde pancreatography. With this approach surgical treatment can be carried out earlier and the often fatal course of the disorder can be averted.