Clinical Application Of Endoanal And Endorectal Ultrasound For Benign And Malignant Conditions Of The Anus, Perianal Space, And Rectum

INTRODUCTION: Benign and malignant conditions of the anus, perianal space, and rectum encompass various disorders: perianal abscesses and fistulas, anal fissures, hemorrhoids, incontinence, defecation disorder, rectovaginal and rectovesical fistulas, rectal prolapse, neoplasms of the anal canal and rectum. Very often patients have more than one condition. The high prevalence of benign anal disorders makes them socially significant. In the last two decades, a lot of new diagnostic methods were introduced. This has improved the understanding of the pathogenesis of these conditions. Endoanal and endorectal endoscopic ultrasound has become an important part of the evaluation of anal and rectal disease. This method is widely preferred because of its low price, accessibility, lack of complications, and good tolerance to the examination without sedation.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients have undergone endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) examination, from April 2023 to June 2023. All ERUS examinations were performed using 3D 20R3 and 3D X14L4 endorectal transducers connected to BK 3000 Ultrasound System (BK Medical Aps, Denmark).RESULTS: The mean age was 48.4. Eighteen patients were male (60%). The main clinical indication was an evaluation of perianal abscesses and fistulas or neoplasms. Nine of the examinations, or 30%, were performed for anal and rectal tumors. Perianal abscesses were identified in 7 cases (23%); 5 patients had anal fissures; 4 had perianal fistulas (13%); 1 had a rectovaginal fistula. The rest of the patients had hemorrhoidal disease.CONCLUSION: Endorectal and endoanal ultrasound is a sensitive and reliable method for the assessment of the anatomical structures and diagnosis of benign and malignant diseases of the anus, perianal space, and rectum