title: Role of magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of perianal fistulas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was carried out to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preoperative assessment of fistula-in-ano.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six patients (21 male and 5 female, age 19-65 years) were prospectively studied from July 1999 to December 2001 using a 1.0-tesla superconducting magnet. T(1)-weighted fast spin echo (T1W FSE) images before and after gadolinium injection and fat suppressed T2-weighted fast spin echo (T2W FSE) images were obtained in transverse and coronal planes. MRI findings were correlated with surgical findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one of the 26 patients demonstrated active fistulas. The MRI findings were in accordance with the examination findings under anesthesia and/or surgery in 15 of 16 cases. Both coronal and transverse planes were useful in assessing the location and direction of tracts and abscesses. Both contrast-enhanced T1W FSE and fat-suppressed T2W FSE images were useful in assessing the activity of lesions and the course of tracts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI showed accurate correlation with surgical findings and aided in preoperative management and planning for surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait. drhana@yahoo.com
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Al-Khawari
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Sinan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Amer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Bolushi
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium