Internal fistulae of the digestive tract

Abstract

It is not intended that under such a heading all sorts of fistulae of the digestive tract be treated exhaustively. My intention is to describe only those cases, which passed through the X-Ray department at St. Luke's Hospital during the last two years. These cases, although rather uncommon, have been chosen because they usually occur as a complication of common diseases of the digestive organs, while some are the result of odd abnormal findings in adjoining organs. The only exception is the case of an oesophago-tracheal fistula, which is usually due to congenital maldevelopment. Another reason for this selection is to stress the importance of the evaluation of the signs, symptoms and the characteristics of the special investigations, which will lead one to the correct diagnosis of these cases.