Clinical-instrumental methods used for diagnosing gastrointestinal fistulae (adapted from Falconi and colleagues14)
| • Monitor |
| —fistula output volume |
| —fistula aspect (colour, etc.) |
| —water-electrolyte balance |
| —biochemical evaluation (amylase, lipase, bilirubin, pH, etc.) |
| —infection status |
| —nutritional/metabolic status |
| • Methylene blue test |
| • Upper or lower gastrointestinal endoscopy |
| • Digestive tract x rays with water soluble contrast medium |
| • Fistulography with water soluble contrast medium |
| • Ultrasonography |
| • Computerised axial tomography |
| • Magnetic resonance imaging |