Colo-ovarian fistula: a report of two cases

We report two patients with a colo-ovarian fistula which produced a granulomatous oophoritis. Both patients presented with an adnexal mass and abdominal discomfort; in each case the preoperative diagnosis was a probable neoplasm. The patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy; the colo-ovarian fistula was not recognized intraoperatively in either case. Both patients required reoperation in the early postoperative period because of the development of a colovaginal and a colocutaneous fistula, respectively. Intraoperative recognition of colo-ovarian fistula is important for the selection of the appropriate surgical procedure. The differential diagnosis of granulomatous oophoritis is discussed.