Endoluminal MR imaging of anorectal diseases

Endoluminal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an important techni que In the diagnostic work-up of patients with anorectal diseases. The high spatial resolution of endoluminal MRI gives a detailed demonstration of th e anal and rectal anatomy and pathology. This technique has been demonstrat ed to be superior to endoluminal sonography and body coil MRI, Endoanal MRI and phased-array coil MRI seem to have comparable results in perianal fist ulas, but comparative data are lacking, Phased-array coil MRI is the imagin g technique of choice for imaging rectal tumors, while endoluminal MRI is t he alternative technique for imaging rectal tumors and the preferred techni que for imaging anal tumors. Endoluminal MRI is superior to phased-array co il MRI in fecal incontinence, as phased-array coil MRI does not give the de tailed spatial resolution required for evaluation of anal sphincter lesions . (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.