Open AccessRare intestinal fistula caused by primary lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract
Author(s) -
Nan Zhuang,
Qingli Zhu,
Wenbo Li,
Miaoqian Wang,
Qian Yang,
Wei Liu,
Li Ji,
Hong Yang,
Weixun Zhou
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.59
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1536-5964
pISSN - 0025-7974
DOI - 10.1097/md.0000000000011407
Subject(s) - medicine , gastrointestinal tract , fistula , lymphoma , gastroenterology , general surgery , surgery
Abstract Rationale: Primary lymphoma that arises from the intestine is an uncommon malignant tumour, while intestinal fistula caused by primary lymphoma is even rarer. Non-specific clinical performance makes early diagnosis difficult, although imaging modalities might play an essential role in the detection of intestinal fistula. Patient concerns: Patient 1: A 60-year-old male hospitalized with diarrhoea and abdominal pain for seven months underwent computed tomography enterography (CTE) that demonstrated ileum internal fistula and ileac-sigmoid colon fistula. Ultrasound (US) showed small intestinal wall thickened and development of a fistula of the sigmoid colon due to malignance. Patient 2: A 43-year-old male presented with abdominal pain and diarrhoea lasting one year. US revealed a fistula between the sigmoid colon and the ileum, and CTE showed that the wall of the partial sigmoid colon was abnormally thickened and enhanced with an ileal-sigmoid fistula that strongly suggested the diagnosis of lymphoma. Diagnoses: Both the two patients were diagnosed as intestinal fistula caused by primary non-Hodgkin's intestinal lymphoma. Interventions: The patient 1 underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy. The patient 2 accepted chemotherapy. Outcomes: Two patients’ general conditions remained stable and the imaging revealed no recurrence after follow-up of about 12 months. Lessions: Cross-sectional imaging, such as US and CT, plays an essential role in intestinal lymphoma fistula diagnosis.