Ultrasound in diagnosis and treatment of anal fistulas
Ultrazvok kot pomoč pri diagnostiki in zdravljenju analnih fistul

english

1999

volume 33, issue 4

Onkološki inštitut Ljubljana

Buckground. Endoanal ultrasound (EUS) is helpful in the diagnosis of anorectalfistulas and abscesses due to its high resolution image quality and anatomical orientation using a radial scanning echoprobe. This type of information is essential in monitoring the response to treatment. Initial EUS examination prior to treatment, is mandatory in order to compare the results before and after treatment. Intraoperative EUS may also be helpful if the lesion is deep beyond the pelvic floor muscle which may not be seen during surgery. Better results in EUS imaging of perianorectal fistulas can be obtained using hydrogen peroxide as a contrast medium. Concomitant advantage of hydrogen peroxide ultrasound was the detection of suspected or unsuspected sphincter defects. However, interobserver reliability has to be taken into account together with the learning curve of a particular observer. Conclusions. Endoanal US is a safe, economic, and reliable procedure for the assessment of fistula-in-ano, and is superior to physical examination.

10.11.2023