[Endo-anal and endorectal ultrasound of inflammatory diseases]

We performed endoluminal sonography in 23 patients with suspected inflammatory perianal or perirectal disease. In 11 patients with known fistulous disease we searched for an abscess cavity or attempted to demonstrate the track of the fistula. 8 patients were examined for perianal pain of unknown origin. In 1 patient we used the rectal sonography to define the size and precise location of an abscess. Another patient was examined for a submucous rectal tumor. Twice we used sonography for postoperative follow-up, once after incision of a dorsal horseshoe abscess and once after lateral sphincterotomy. In 19 of 23 patients (82%) with perianal inflammatory disease, endorectal sonography was either diagnostic or provided useful additional informations.