Whats a Fistula (sp?) &inflammation of the bowel?

[Poohbearsmom]

Hi consultant sending me for mri as i have had reoccuring peri-anal abcess and said i might hav a fistula and they want to do a colonoscopy to check for inflammation of the bowel, can anyone please explain them to me? Tia

A fistula is when there is a wee tear or tube formed between organs when there shouldn't be, sometimes just an opening, in your case from the tissue surrounding the anus forming an abscess cavity. The main risk factor is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) as the cell turnover is quicker when tissue is inflamed. You might have heard of IBD as either Crohns or Ulcerative Colitis. It is possible that there is another reason for the inflammation but that will be why they want to take a look. Good luck and don't worry too much, it sounds like your doctor knows what he is doing.

So the actual abcess altho tis well painful and not healing at all isnt actually something to be worried about its what it might indicate? My gran had chrons as far as i can rem is there anything else they should look for or do you think it sounds good? Thank you very much for replying to me