title: Imaging of anal fistulas: comparison of computed tomographic fistulography and magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: The primary importance of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in evaluating anal fistulas lies in its ability to demonstrate hidden areas of sepsis and secondary extensions in patients with fistula in ano. MR imaging is relatively expensive, so there are many healthcare systems worldwide where access to MR imaging remains restricted. Until recently, computed tomography (CT) has played a limited role in imaging fistula in ano, largely owing to its poor resolution of soft tissue. In this article, the different imaging features of the CT and MRI are compared to demonstrate the relative accuracy of CT fistulography for the preoperative assessment of fistula in ano. CT fistulography and MR imaging have their own advantages for preoperative evaluation of perianal fistula, and can be applied to complement one another when necessary.
authors.affiliation: Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan 250021, China.
authors.forename: Changhu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan 250021, China.
authors.forename: Yongchao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan 250021, China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Shandong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Institute, Jinan 250014, China.
authors.forename: Yinglin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan 250021, China.
authors.forename: Cuiyan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Taishan Medical University, Taian 271000, China.
authors.forename: Wanli
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: CT; Fistulography; MR imaging; Perianal fistula