Assessment of peripouch inflammation after ileoanal anastomosis using endoluminal ultrasonography.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to assess the impact of endoluminal transpouch ultrasonography in the investigation and management of inflammatory complications of pelvic pouches and to compare endoluminal transpouch ultrasonography to pouchography and computerized axial tomograph scanning.


METHODS
A prospective evaluation was made of the presentation, investigation, treatment, and clinical outcome of 16 patients referred for endoluminal transpouch ultrasonography with dysfunctional pelvic pouches and no evidence of pouchitis on endoscopy.


RESULTS
There were 5 normal and 11 abnormal examinations. Six patients had peripouch inflammatory phlegmons, four patients had peripouch abscesses, and one patient had a rectovaginal fistula. A total of nine patients had anastomotic leaks detected. Two patients had abscesses drained under ultrasound guidance and a pigtail catheter left in situ. Pouchography detected only 3 of 8 (38 percent) anastomotic leaks detected by endoluminal transpouch ultrasonography. Computerized axial tomograph scan detected 2 of 5 (40 percent) peripouch abscesses or phlegmon detected by endoluminal transpouch ultrasonography. Patients with peripouch sepsis had significantly thicker anal wall thickness (23.8 vs. 16.8 mm; P < 0.02) and external sphincter thickness (9.1 vs. 7.3 mm; P < 0.05) than pouches with no sepsis.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoluminal transpouch ultrasonography appears to detect anastomotic leaks and peripouch sepsis and may guide the initial management of patients with dysfunctional pelvic pouches and an inconclusive clinical and endoscopic examination.
Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
M J
MJ
Solomon
R S
RS
McLeod
B I
BI
O'Connor
Z
Z
Cohen
D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007079:Ileitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016737:Proctocolectomy, Restorative / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography