Gastrocolic fistula

Peptic ulcer disease is a less common cause of gastrocolic fistula than either carcinoma of the stomach or colon. However, use of steroids or aspirin appear to make this a more common complication of benign disease. The typical symptoms are pain, diarrhea, weight loss, foul eructation, and feculent vomiting. The most accurate method of diagnosis is with barium enema. The treatment is surgical.