Abstract

The perianal fistulas are commonly observed in 4th-5th age group of patients with male predilection. This disease present with complaints of discharge (most common), pain, swelling, Pruritis & fever. Objectives: to access the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of MRI in perianal fistulas in comparison to surgical findings. Methods: 60 patients of 22 to 72 year age group with clinically suspected and confirmed by MRI were selected for the study. Most common clinical presentation in this study were discharge (93%) followed by pain (70.0%). Most common fistula type was intersphincteric in 40(66.7%) followed by transsphincteric which were 14(23.3%). Associated abscess cavity seen in 15 cases (25%). On MR Fistulography, horseshoeing seen in 2 (3.3%) cases which was also confirmed preoperatively. Intersphincteric fistula was the most common type of the perianal fistulas followed by transsphincteric type with Grade 1 followed by Grade 2. Low fistulas prevalence was much more than high fistulas. Simple non branching fistulas were more common as compare to branching fistulas. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance fistulography is a reliable imaging, most sensitive and specific modality, for assessment of perianal anatomy, fistulous tracts and their associated ramification and abscesses, and became an ideal imaging modality for assessment of perianal fistulas, which showed accurate correlation with surgical findings and aided in surgery planning.

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