Crohn's disease (CD) is a lifelong disease arising from an interaction between genetic and environmental factors, but seen predominantly in the developed countries of the world. The precise etiology is unknown and therefore a causal treatment is not yet available. Fistulating Crohn's disease includes fistulas arising in the perianal area, together with those communicating between the intestine ...

During the last 25 years, 20 patients with cirrhosis of liver with severe cyanosis and gross clubbing simulating congenital cyanotic heart disease were subjected to cardiac catheterization and angiography, splenography, liver function tests, and liver biopsy. No portopulmonary fistulas could be demonstrated. The cyanosis and clubbing were secondary to right to left intrapulmonary shunting acros...

During the last 26 years, 21 patients with cirrhosis of the liver with severe cyanosis and gross clubbing simulating congenital cyanotic heart disease were subjected to cardiac catheterisation and angiography, splenography, liver function tests and liver biopsy. One patient had tetralogy of Fallot in addition, which was satisfactorily corrected. He continued to be intensely cyanosed and dyspnoe...

Pancreatic fistulas are among the most devastating complications after pancreatic surgery. Their subsequent development can be lethal. We report two cases of pancreatic fistulas treated with phenytoin. Fistula tract healing consists of several processes, including cell migration and the formation of a new extracellular matrix. Multiple studies have shown that phenytoin can promote wound healing...

Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy is a widely acknowledged method for chronic and traumatic wound healing. The feasibility of VAC therapy used for the treatment of intestinal fistulas is still a subject of debate. Complex postoperative wounds pose significant therapeutic problems, especially when there are several fistula openings in the wound area and other sites, usually at the site of pr...

Aorto-cavitary fistula is an infrequent complication in infective endocarditis as well as multiple fistula, being the most rare among intracardiac fistulas. The prognosis of infective endocarditis worsens if there are fistulas associated, exceeding the mortality over 40% despite aggressive surgical treatment. Although transoesophageal echocardiography offers a better sensitivity and specificity...

A patient with a brain abscess was found to have multiple pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas. Differences in arterial blood gas levels at low and high lung volumes were used to quantify shunting. Using this technique one can objectively follow progression, remission, or stabilzation of pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas.

The clinical course of perianal fistulas and associated abscesses was evaluated prospectively in 90 patients with Crohn's disease. Fistula type, rectal disease, faecal diversion, and immunosuppression were examined as prognostic indicators for fistula healing and recurrence. Median follow up was 22 months. The outcome was evaluated with life table analysis. Prognostic factors were analysed by m...