[Fistula between the bowel and urinary tract in Crohn's disease (author's transl)]

Six patients are presented with urological complications due to Crohn's disease. (Five vesico-intestinal fistulas and two ureteral strictures). Dysuria and recurrent infections preceded the fistula in every case. Pneumaturia was seen five times, fecal-uria four times. On the average, 35 months passed since the beginning of Crohn's disease until a vesico-intestinal fistual appeared. Diagnosis of vesico-intestinal fistula was established by anamnesis four times, by contrast enema twice, once by cystoscopy, once by cystography. Five patients were treated by partial resection of bowel and either partial resection of bladder or bladder suture. One fistula healed spontaneously by indwelling bladder catheter. Ureter strictures were treated by ureteral splints, 1 successfully for over 6 months, 1 still under treatment where nephrectomy probably will be necessary.