Open AccessMagnetic Resonance Imaging of the Anal Region: Clinical Applications
Author(s) -
Giuseppe Cicero,
Giorgio Ascenti,
Alfredo Blandino,
Socrate Pallio,
Claudia Abate,
Tommaso D’Angelo,
Silvio Mazziotti
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of clinical imaging science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.279
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 2156-7514
pISSN - 2156-5597
DOI - 10.25259/jcis_180_2020
Subject(s) - magnetic resonance imaging , medicine , radiology , anal canal , medical physics , high resolution , soft tissue , surgery , rectum , remote sensing , geology
Over the past years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a cornerstone in evaluating anal canal and adjacent tissues due to its safeness, the three-dimensional and comprehensive approach, and the high soft-tissue resolution. Several diseases arising in the anal canal can be assessed through MRI performance, including congenital conditions, benign pathologies, and malignancies. Good knowledge of the normal anatomy and MRI technical protocols is, therefore, mandatory for appropriate anal pathology evaluation. Radiologists and clinicians should be familiar with the different clinical scenarios and the anatomy of the structures involved. This pictorial review presents an overview of the diseases affecting the anal canal and the surrounding structures evaluated with dedicated MRI protocol.