Case Series
Year: 2020 | Month: April-June | Volume: 5 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 124-129
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Anatomical Mapping and Classification of Perianal Fistulas before Surgery
Major Haribaskar Subbukrishnan1, Smita Borale2
1Associate Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis, BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru.
2Consultant Teleradiologist at 5C Network (India) Private Limited, Bengaluru.
Corresponding Author: Smita Borale
ABSTRACT
Perianal fistula is an annoyingly painful relatively common disease which is surgically curable. However, over-ambitious and injudicious surgery may convert this malady into a disaster for the patient. To diminish the postoperative incidence of recurrence rate and fecal incontinence, the operator must understand the exact anatomical relationship of the fistula with the perianal structures and spaces. MR imaging depicts infected tracts and remote foci of infection clearly than any other method including surgical exploration. Detailed MRI evaluation of perianal fistula provides complete pre-treatment route map to the surgical team and thereby enabling them treat it successfully. We would be describing the plethora of imaging findings that we came across our patients in this case series using MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging is non-invasive imaging method which is devoid of any radiation exposure. Hence it’s the imaging modality of choice particularly for the younger age group that present with disease most commonly.
Keywords: Perianal fistula, Fistula in ano, Magnetic resonance imaging, Tract, sinus, Abscess.