Benign gastro-colic fistula in a woman presenting with weight loss and intermittent vomiting: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Benign gastro-colic fistula is a rare occurrence in modern surgery due to the progress in medical management of gastric ulcer disease. Here we report the first case of benign gastro-colic fistula occurring whilst on proton-pump inhibitor therapy. This is a case study of benign gastro-colic fistula and review of the available literature in regards to etiology, diagnosis, management and prognosis. CASE PRESENTATION: An 84-year-old woman of Caucasian background presented with 12 months of worsening abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss on a background of known gastric ulcer disease. CONCLUSION: The leading cause of gastro-colic fistulae has changed from benign to malignant due to improved medical management of gastric ulcer disease. The rarity and non-specific symptoms of gastro-colic fistula make the diagnosis difficult and it is best made by barium enema; however, computed tomography has not been formally evaluated. Surgical management with en bloc resection of the fistula tract is the preferred treatment. Benign gastro-colic fistulae are becoming exceedingly rare in the context of modern medical management of gastric ulcer disease. Surgical management is the gold standard for both benign and malignant disease.