IMAGING OF THE ANORECTAL REGION

Imaging of anorectal region has drastically changed during the last de cade. Transrectal ultrasound and transrectal MRI can be used for stagi ng the rectal tumours. Endoanal sonography can he applied for the clas sification of perianal fistulae and identification of anal sphincter d efects in patients with faecal incontinence. Due to the limitations of endoanal sonography, endoanal MRI was introduced to assess the pathol ogy related to the anal sphincter complex. Endoanal MRI seems superior to endoanal sonography. This paper describes the new developments of the imaging techniques and presents new insights in anatomy and pathol ogy of the anorectum.