Radiographic and clinical sequelae of the duodenocolic anatomic relationship: two cases of Crohn's disease with fistulization to the duodenum.

The posterior surface of the proximal transverse colon and the anterior surface of the descending duodenum are intimately related. The clinical importance of this apposition is re-emphasized with presentation of two cases which had the uncommon phenomenon of benign duodenocolic fistula. These two rare cases of duodenocolic fistulas secondary to Crohn's disease are added to the literature. It is also suggested that in some cases, duodenal mucosal alterations with adjacent Crohn's disease of the colon might be the result of reactive inflammatory changes, and do not necessarily indicate continuous extension of the granulomatous disease.