title: New concepts in preoperative imaging of anorectal malformation. New concepts in imaging of ARM.
abstract: In this study of 14 patients with anorectal anomalies CT and MRI were employed for preoperative assessment. The use of a pressure enhanced water soluble enema via the colostomy proved to be an extremely efficient method for showing a fistula. MRI studies were enhanced by the use of vaseline oil and in one case this technique was used prior to surgery to provide important information by injecting through a perineal fistula. CT and axial MRI proved to be more valuable than sagittal MRI which is only useful for the length of the atretic segment. The authors consider that a combined approach using pressure enhanced water soluble enema and MRI will provide the most valuable preoperative information to plan a successful operative approach and enable an accurate prognostic evaluation of continence in these difficult and complex patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Largo Gerolamo Gaslini, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taccone
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martucciello
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dodero
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delliacqua
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marzoli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salomone
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jasonni
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000002:abnormalities; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012007:Rectum / Q000002:abnormalities*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed