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Updated: May 15, 2025

Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Published on: April 17, 2019
Anorectal malformation and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography
C Parrondo Muiños1, E J Hernández Anselmi1, Y M Argumosa Salazar2
1Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete. Albacete (Spain).
Objective:
To describe the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the diagnosis of anorectal malformations.
Material And Methods:
In 24 months, 5 patients aged 13 days-22 months were assessed by means of 6 colosonographies (colostograms or contrast-enhanced ultrasound enemas) as a result of suspected rectourethral fistula (3 boys) or rectovestibular fistula (2 girls). An ultrasound device with a dedicated software for contrast visualization, a multifrequency probe, and second-generation ultrasound contrast were employed. The results were confirmed using contrast-enhanced radiology in 4 patients, colostograms in 3 patients, and enema in 1 patient. There were no side effects.
Results:
In 5 colosonographies, the fistulous tracts were visualized and located, and in 1, no fistula was observed. The rectal pouch/sacrum-coccyx relationship was assessed, and no presacral mass was detected. In 1 boy, the coccyx was absent. 2 patients had urological malformations.
Conclusions:
Colosonography allows anorectal malformations and fistula presence, location, and tract to be assessed in real time, without ionizing radiation or side effects.
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