What Is a Fistula?
5. Symptoms and Diagnosis
The symptoms the patient experiences depends on the location of the fistula. Some fistulas are asymptomatic and are only diagnosed as an incidental finding. Some of the symptoms a patient may experience (depending on the location of the fistula) include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, rectal bleeding, signs of malnutrition, and more.
Some of the lab investigations that can be performed are albumin, prealbumin, blood urea nitrogen, electrolyte, and creatinine levels. A complete blood count can also be beneficial. Abscess culture, urine culture, and urinalysis should also be performed. Procedures such as an endoscopy, fistuloscopy, cystoscopy, or colonoscopy may be indicated in some cases. Medical imaging that may be useful include a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, ultrasonography, barium enema, and fistulography.
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