Perianal disease in inflammatory bowel disease:Broadening treatment and surveillance strategies for anal cancer

The perianal disease affects up to one-third of individuals with Crohn's disease(CD),causing disabling symptoms and significant impairment in quality of life,particularly for those with perianal fistulising CD(PFCD).The collaborative effort between gastroenterologists and surgeons is essential for addressing PFCD to achieve fistula closure and promote luminal healing.Limited fistula healing rates with conventional therapies have prompted the emergence of new biological agents,endoscopic procedures and surgical techniques that show promising results.Among these,mesenchymal stem cells injection is a particularly hopeful therapy.In addition to the burden of fistulas,individuals with perianal CD may face an increased risk of developing anal cancer.This underscores the importance of surveillance programmes and timely interventions to prevent late diagnoses and poor outcomes.Currently,there is no established formal anal screening programme.In this review,we provide an overview of the current state of the art in managing PFCD,including novel medical,endoscopic and surgical approaches.The discussion also focuses on the relevance of establishing an anal cancer screening programme in CD,intending to propose a risk-based surveillance algorithm.The validation of this surveillance programme would be a significant step forward in improving patient care and outcomes.

Transcutaneous perianal sonography:A sensitive method for the detection of perianal inflammatory lesions in Crohn's disease

AIM:Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and endoanal ultrasound which are established imaging methods for perianal inflammatory lesions in patients with Crohn's disease require expensive specialized equipments and expertise.We investigated the feasibility and sensitivity of transcutaneous perianal ultrasound(PAUS)using regular ultrasound probes in the imaging of perianal inflammatory lesions.The sonographic findings were correlated to pelvic MR]-scans. METHODS:We performed PAUS in 25 patients with Crohn's disease and clinical signs of perianal inflammatory disease. Wibhin a median of 10 d(range 0-75)these patients underwent MRI of the pelvis.Regular convex and linear high resolution probes were used for PAUS.The sonographic findings were correlated to the MRI findings by blinded investigators. RESULTS:The sonographic investigations were well tolerated by all patients.Fistulae typically presented as hypoechoic tracks.Twenty-nine fistulae were detected in 22 patients.Abscesses were detected in 7 patients and presented as hypo-or anechoic formations.Twenty-six of 29 fistulae and 6 of 7 abscesses could be confirmed by MRI.Kappa statistics showed an excellent agreement (kappa>0.83)between the two imaging methods. CONCLUSION:PAUS is a simple,painless,feasible,real- time method that can be performed without specific patient preparation which is comparable in its sensitivity to pelvic MRI in the detection of perianal fistulae and/or abscesses. PAUS can especially be recommended as a screening tool in acute perianal disorders such as perianal abscess and for follow-up studies of perianal inflammatory disease.

Magnetic resonance imaging may predict deep remission in patients with perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease

To evaluate the imaging course of Crohn’s disease (CD) patients with perianal fistulas on long-term maintenance anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α therapy and identify predictors of deep remission.METHODSAll patients with perianal CD treated with anti-TNF-α therapy at our tertiary care center were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical assessment. Two MR examinations were performed: at initiation of anti-TNF-α treatment and then at least 2 years after. Clinical assessment (remission, response and non-response) was based on Present’s criteria. Rectoscopic patterns, MRI Van Assche score, and MRI fistula activity signs (T2 signal and contrast enhancement) were collected for the two MR examinations. Fistula healing was defined as the absence of T2 hyperintensity and contrast enhancement on MRI. Deep remission was defined as the association of both clinical remission, absence of anal canal ulcers and healing on MRI. Characteristics and imaging patterns of patients with and without deep remission were compared by univariate and multivariate analyses.RESULTSForty-nine consecutive patients (31 females and 18 males) were included. They ranged in age from 14-70 years (mean, 33 years). MRI and clinical assessment were performed after a mean period of exposure to anti-TNF-α therapy of 40 ± 3.7 mo. Clinical remission, response and non-response were observed in 53.1%, 20.4%, and 26.5% of patients, respectively. Deep remission was observed in 32.7% of patients. Among the 26 patients in clinical remission, 10 had persisting inflammation of fistulas on MRI (T2 hyperintensity, n = 7; contrast enhancement, n = 10). Univariate analysis showed that deep remission was associated with the absence of rectal involvement and the absence of switch of anti-TNF-α treatment or surgery requirement. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only the absence of rectal involvement (OR = 4.6; 95%CI: 1.03-20.5) was associated with deep remission.CONCLUSIONDeep remission is achieved in approximately one third of patients on maintenance anti-TNF-α therapy. Absence of rectal involvement is predictive of deep remission.

50 Cases of Pointed Condyloma Treated by Surgery Combined with External Washing with Chinese Herbal Medicine

Pointed condyloma in the anus is caused by a virus of human papilloma, marked by the presence of rapidly growing cutaneous verrucae with itching, mild pain and offensive secretion. Diagnosis can be made based on biopsy. The disease is of high recurrence and very difficult to be cured radically. The author combined surgery with external washing with Chinese herbal medicine and achieved quite good results. The following is report of the treatment.