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Endoanal ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging for preoperative assessment of anal fistula: a comparative study
Author(s) -
Gustafsson U.M.,
Kahvecioglu B.,
Åström G.,
Ahlström H.,
Graf W.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
colorectal disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.029
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1463-1318
pISSN - 1462-8910
DOI - 10.1046/j.1463-1318.2001.00241.x
Subject(s) - medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , anal fistula , fistula , endoanal ultrasound , radiology , abscess , ultrasound , surgery , anal canal , rectum
Objective To compare endoanal ultrasound (EUS) with a 10‐MHz probe vs . bodycoil magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the preoperative evaluation of anal fistula. Subjects and methods 23 patients with fistula in the anal region underwent preoperative 0.5 T bodycoil MRI and 10 MHz EUS which included probing in 6 patients. The results of the EUS and MRI were compared against the surgical findings as a reference method. Results In classification of the primary tract there was agreement between EUS and surgical findings in 14 (61%) and between MRI and surgery in 11 (48%). Concerning the presence of an internal opening the corresponding figures were 17 (74%) and 10 (43%) and in judging the presence of an extension or an abscess 15 (65%) vs . 11 (48%), respectively. In three out of eight patients with nonhealing or recurrence after surgery preoperative imaging had shown an extension and/or an abscess that was not identified by the surgeon. Conclusion EUS, sometimes complemented with probing, is well comparable to bodycoil MRI in classifying and describing the topography of an anal fistula.