ENDORECTAL ULTRASOUND IN THE EVALUATION O F PERIRECTAL DISEASE

Between July 1992 and December 1993 we examined 258 patients by endore ctal ultrasound at the Surgical Department of the University of Wurzbu rg. In 24 (9.3%) patients we found 27 perirectal lesions. These compri sed abscesses, cysts, primary and secondary malignancies, as well as v arious benign tumours. All lesions but one underwent histological and/ lor microbiological examination. Endosonographic assessment with regar d to size, location and anatomical structure was correct in 24 (89%) c ases. We performed ultrasound-guided, transrectal aspiration in six pa tients. Endorectal ultrasound is a useful complementary imaging device in the assessment of pararectal disease. Owing to its high resolution it may be superior to other methods (e. g. CT or MRI). Another advant age is the possibility of ultrasound-guided aspiration biopsy. Precise knowledge of the topographic anatomy and its endosonographic appearan ce is of great importance.