EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY Imaging of the anorectal region

Imaging of anorectal region has drastically changed uring the last decade. Transrectal u trasound and transrectal MRI can be used for staging the rectal tumours. Endoanal sonography can be applied for the classification of perianal fistulae and identification of anal sphincter defects in patients with faecal incontinence. Due to the limitations of endoanal sonography, endoanal MRI was introduced to assess the pathology related to the anal sphincter complex. Endoanal MRI seems uperior to endoanal sonography. This paper describes the new developments ofthe imaging techniques and presents new insights in anatomy and pathology of the anorectum