Appendico-cutaneous fistula: a diagnostic dilemma.

ABSTRACT

Appendicular inflammation can present as a discharging fistula on the abdominal wall. This faecal fistula can be difficult to diagnose even with the assistance of advanced radiological techniques. Many pathological conditions of the appendix can present as appendico-cutaneous fistulae, and these have been defined to be distinct from those external appendicular fistulae that follow appendicectomy for acute appendicitis. Appendico-cutaneous fistula is a rare disease, and we could retrieve only 16 cases from a (Pubmed) search. An exploratory laparotomy is the gold standard for confirmation of this rare condition and, simultaneously, it allows treatment by appendicectomy and excision of the fistulous tract. We report and discuss one such case that we managed.