title: Rectal perflubron: new application in MRI of perirectal fistulae.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our goal was to determine the efficacy of MRI with rectal administration of perflubron in the evaluation of perirectal and pelvic fistulae, with an emphasis on development of an improved method for fistula visualization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen pelvic and/or perirectal fistulae were evaluated in nine patients with MRI after the rectal administration of 200 ml of perflubron. Images were reviewed by two independent readers and evaluated for the presence or absence of fistulae. Qualitative assessment was also performed, rating the examinations for the ability to visualize the fistulae. Comparison was made with the clinical examination and/or operative findings, as well as available preperflubron imaging studies (CT = 10; fluoroscopy = 1; preperflubron MRI = 4).
  
  
  RESULTS
  MRI with rectal perflubron demonstrated all 14 fistulae (100%), while preperflubron imaging demonstrated only 7 of 14 (50%) fistulae (p < or = 0.008, Wilcoxon signed rank test). In addition, MRI with perflubron resulted in significantly improved qualitative visualization of fistulae (overall very good rating versus poor rating for preperflubron imaging, p < or = 0.006, Wilcoxon signed rank test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI with rectal perflubron is a superior modality for imaging of fistulae, compared with conventional methods, since it allows a noninvasive means of demonstrating the presence of a fistula as well as offers improved qualitative assessment of fistulous disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32160-0374, USA.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Mergo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Helmberger
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cerda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Urrutia
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Ros
mesh_terms: D000285:Administration, Rectal; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; C003072:perflubron