Entero-Urachal Fistula: An Unusual Initial Presentation of Penetrating and Stricturing Crohn’s Disease

Kayleigh M. Herrick-Reynolds*, Christina M. Steinhauser, Manish Singla, Walter B. Kucera, Gary G. Wind, Thomas S. Gerald, Hernan O. Altamar, Mary T. O’Donnell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Crohn’s disease (CD) has a wide variety of clinical presentations, ranging from abdominal pain to stricture and fistula. Fistulas involving the genitourinary tract can be severe and often require surgical intervention. Given the array of presenting symptoms, a delay in diagnosis can occur. We present the case of a healthy active duty soldier, with no previous medical history, found to have CD through an initial presentation of isolated umbilical drainage. Imaging workup identified an entero-uracho-cutaneous fistula with involvement of the transverse colon. Urachal anomalies are uncommon, and entero-urachal fistula as an initial presentation of CD is exceedingly rare. This case highlights the need to consider CD in the differential for patients with umbilical drainage despite a lack of concurrent more frequent presenting symptoms (abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and perianal fistula). Maintaining awareness of uncommon initial presentations of CD can minimize delay in diagnosis and thereby mitigate the risk of severe complications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2794-2796
Number of pages3
JournalAmerican Surgeon
Volume89
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • colorectal
  • gastrointestinal
  • general surgery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Entero-Urachal Fistula: An Unusual Initial Presentation of Penetrating and Stricturing Crohn’s Disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this