Imaging and surgical management of anorectal vaginal fistulas

Wendaline M. Vanburen, Amy L. Lightner, Sarasa T. Kim, Shannon P. Sheedy, Madeline C. Woolever, Christine O. Menias, Joel G. Fletcher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Anorectal vaginal fistulas (ARVFs) can result in substantial morbidity and potentially embarrassing symptoms in adult women of all ages. Despite having what may be obvious clinical manifestations, the fistulas themselves can be difficult to identify with imaging. MRI is the modality of choice for the diagnosis and characterization of ARVFs. A dedicated protocol involving the use of vaginal gel and optimized imaging planes with respect to the vagina, as well as an understanding of the MRI pelvic floor anatomy, is crucial for reporting surgically relevant details. Ancillary findings such as post-surgical changes, inflammation, abscess, sphincter destruction, and neoplasm are well evaluated. Vaginography, contrast enema, endoscopic US, and CT can be highly useful complementary diagnostic examinations. The entities that result in ARVFs may be obstetric, inflammatory (eg, Crohn disease and diverticulitis), neoplastic, iat-rogenic, and/or radiation induced. Surgical management is heavily dependent on the cause and complexity of the fistulizing disease, which are related to the location of the fistula in the vagina, the type and extent of fistula branching, the number of fistulas, sphincter tears, inflammation, and abscess.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1385-1401
Number of pages17
JournalRadiographics
Volume38
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Imaging and surgical management of anorectal vaginal fistulas'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this