Supracristal Ventricular Septal Defect Complicated by Formation of an Aorto-Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Fistula: A Rare Cause of Biventricular Enlargement

Aorto-right ventricular outflow tract fistulas typically occur secondary to trauma, infective endocarditis, and sinus of Valsalva aneurysm rupture. We describe an unusual case of a spontaneous aorto-right ventricular outflow tract fistula in the absence of such findings, instead forming secondary to a complicating supracristal ventricular septal defect and leading to dilated cardiomyopathy.

Accuracy of pre-operative fistula diagnostics in anorectal malformations

Background Surgical safety during posterior sagittal anorectal plasty (PSARP) for anorectal malformations (ARM) depends on accurate pre-operative fistula localization. This study aimed to evaluate accuracy of pre-operative fistula diagnostics. Methods Ethical approval was obtained. Diagnostic accuracy of pre-PSARP symptoms (stool in urine, urine in passive ostomy, urinary tract infection) and examination modalities (voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), high-pressure colostogram, cystoscopy and ostomy endoscopy) were compared to final intra-operative ARM-type classification in all male neonates born with ARM without a perineal fistula treated at a tertiary pediatric surgery center during 2001–2020. Results The 38 included neonates underwent reconstruction surgery through PSARP with diverted ostomy. Thirty-one (82%) had a recto-urinary tract fistula and seven (18%) no fistula. Ostomy endoscopy yielded the highest diagnostic accuracy for fistula presence (22 correctly classified/24 examined cases; 92%), and pre-operative symptoms the lowest (21/38; 55%). For pre-operative fistula level determination, cystoscopy yielded the highest diagnostic accuracy (14/20; 70%), followed by colostogram (23/35; 66%), and VCUG (21/36; 58%). No modality proved to be statistically superior to any other. Conclusions Ostomy endoscopy has the highest diagnostic accuracy for fistula presence, and cystoscopy and high-pressure colostogram for fistula level determination. Correct pre-operative ARM-typing reached a maximum of 60–70%.

Rapidly expanding aortic root mycotic pseudoaneurysm with outflow tract fistula

We present a 50-year-old patient with chronic Stanford type-A aortic dissection, infective endocarditis, and rapidly expanding peri-aortic myocytic pseudoaneurysm with LVOT fistula. This case highlights the role of multimodality imaging in pathoanatomically complex-case evaluation.

Congenital right coronary artery-to-right ventricular outflow tract fistula device closure with migration: retrieval of device after eight years.

Coronary artery congenital fistulas are rare disorders. Transcatheter closure is the primary method of closure. Device migration is a known complication, for which surgical retrieval is required.

Urogenital Fistulas and Female Urethral Diverticula

Urogenital fistulas are a group of conditions in which the urinary tract is apparently connected to another organ system. Causes of fistula range from congenital anomalies, malignancy, trauma, infection or inflammatory conditions, ischemia, parturition, and iatrogenic sources – including surgery and radiation. Signs and symptoms of urinary tract fistula are variable and depend on the organ system involved and the size of the fistula. For patients who are appropriate surgical candidates, elective surgical repair is the mainstay of treatment of urinary tract fistula. Surgical techniques can be complex, but rely on the same key concepts: adequate exposure of the fistula tract; careful dissection and separation of the tissue layers, while minimizing cautery; multi-layer closure; watertight closure of each layer; meticulous hemostasis to prevent hematoma formation, but preserve vascular supply of tissues; use of well-vascularized tissue flaps; tension-free, non-overlapping suture lines; biopsy of tissues concerning for malignancy. This review contains 6 figures, 5 tables, and 82 references. Keywords: urogenital fistula, female bladder, vesical fistula, urinary bladder fistula, vesicovaginal fistula, urethrovaginal fistula, vaginal fistula, urethral diverticulum, urethral diverticulectomy, female urethra

Urogenital Fistulas and Female Urethral Diverticula

Urogenital fistulas are a group of conditions in which the urinary tract is apparently connected to another organ system. Causes of fistula range from congenital anomalies, malignancy, trauma, infection or inflammatory conditions, ischemia, parturition, and iatrogenic sources – including surgery and radiation. Signs and symptoms of urinary tract fistula are variable and depend on the organ system involved and the size of the fistula. For patients who are appropriate surgical candidates, elective surgical repair is the mainstay of treatment of urinary tract fistula. Surgical techniques can be complex, but rely on the same key concepts: adequate exposure of the fistula tract; careful dissection and separation of the tissue layers, while minimizing cautery; multi-layer closure; watertight closure of each layer; meticulous hemostasis to prevent hematoma formation, but preserve vascular supply of tissues; use of well-vascularized tissue flaps; tension-free, non-overlapping suture lines; biopsy of tissues concerning for malignancy. This review contains 6 figures, 5 tables, and 82 references. Keywords: urogenital fistula, female bladder, vesical fistula, urinary bladder fistula, vesicovaginal fistula, urethrovaginal fistula, vaginal fistula, urethral diverticulum, urethral diverticulectomy, female urethra