title: Perianal complications of pediatric Crohn's disease.
abstract: The management of perianal disease (PD) in children with Crohn's disease was reviewed. Of 325 patients (184 boys), 200 (62%) developed PD. The mean age at diagnosis of Crohn's disease was 11.2 years (range, 5 to 17 years). Skin tags were present in 114 (35%) patients, fissures in 165 (51%), fistulas in 41 (15%), and perirectal abscesses in 47 (13%). One hundred fifty-three patients had PD as one of the first symptoms; 71 of these had complete remission of PD and the remaining 82 had chronic symptoms. Forty-two patients were initially free of PD, only to develop it later. PD occurred in 50% of patients with gastroduodenal Crohn's disease, 57% with jejunal, 68% with ileal, 64% with ileocecal, 60% with ileocolic, and 51% with colonic. Local minor operation was necessary in 38 (12%) patients, fistulotomy in 12, and abscess drainage in 26. Four patients required either intestinal resection and/or enterostomy for progressive PD. Fifty-three patients received metronidazole, with amelioration in 38. It is concluded that PD is a common complication of Crohn's disease in children and adolescents. Its presentation may antedate that of the primary disease. Most PD follows a benign course. There is a limited role for operation, but a need for meticulous perineal care and a potential benefit with metronidazole therapy. We advocate conservatism in the management of perianal complications of Crohn's disease in pediatric patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Hospital For Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Palder
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shandling
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bilik
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sherman
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D001004:Anus Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005401:Fissure in Ano / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D008795:Metronidazole