Cystoscopic fistulography: a new technique for the diagnosis of vesicocervical fistula.

BACKGROUND

Most fistulas communicating with the bladder are large enough to be diagnosed easily, or small enough to close spontaneously without clinical sequel. A vesicocervical fistula is an uncommon event and may be difficult to diagnose.

TECHNIQUE: During an operative cystourethroscopy procedure, suspicious areas of the bladder can be probed with a cone tip catheter and injected with contrast dye to visualize the suspected fistula communicating with the bladder.

EXPERIENCE: This technique was employed when a double dye test, an intravenous urogram, a cystogram, a computed tomography scan, and a hysterogram failed to localize the fistulous tract in a patient who was 3 weeks postpartum after a repeat cesarean with complaint of persistent urinary incontinence.

CONCLUSION

Cystoscopic catheterization of suspicious lesions in the bladder may visualize an otherwise elusive fistulous tract.