Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Fistula, Diagnostic procedure, MR, Gastrointestinal tract, Abdomen
Authors:
M. R. VACCARO NOTTE, G. Caruana, D. Giambelluca, V. Costanzo, M. Dimarco, S. Pellegrino, G. Lo Re, R. Lagalla; Palermo/IT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2018/C-2708
Conclusion
MRI plays a crucial role in preoperative evaluation of perianal fistula,
providing accurate definition of the fistulous track,
its extension,
its relationship to pelvic structures,
and identification of secondary fistulas or abscesses.
MR imaging provides accurate information for appropriate surgical treatment,
decreasing the incidence of recurrence and allowing side effects such as fecal incontinence to be avoided [5].
By using the St James’s University Hospital classification,
an MR imaging–based grading system validated by surgical exploration and longterm clinical outcome,
the radiologist can alert the referring clinician to the presence of complex disease that may require expert surgical management to prevent recurrences [6].