The contribution of preoperative MRI evaluation to emergency surgical management of perianal abscesses

Abstract

Objective: Perianal abscesses occur as a result of an infection in the anal gland due to the obstruction of the anal gland ducts opening to the anal crypts. Preoperative use of MRI reduces the risk of recurrence, fistula formation, and postoperative fecal incontinence as it allows detailed anatomical imaging. The aim of this study is to investigate the contribution of preoperative MRI to reducing recurrence and surgical complications in patients who underwent emergency surgery for perianal abscess.
 Material and Methods: A total of 206 patients with perianal abscess evaluated and not evaluated with MRI between January 2016 and 2021 were included in this retrospective study. The patients had no history of surgery or local drainage applied to the perianal region. In addition to demographic data of patients, postoperative complications, hospitalization duration, recurrence ratio, and MRI findings are evaluated.
 Results: In the preoperative period, recurrence was found in 16 (%13.2) of 121 cases evaluated with MRI, while the disease recurred in 24 (%28.2) of 85 cases who were operated without MRI evaluation. The presence of a fistula was significantly higher while the presence of recurrence was significantly lower in the group that underwent MRI in the preoperative period (p=0.033, p=0.012 respectively).
 Conclusion: Contrary to popular belief, surgical treatment of abscesses is not that easy due to the high risk of recurrence, the high rate of association with perianal fistula, and the different types and spreads of abscesses. Therefore, preoperative MRI is the most useful diagnostic method for detecting perianal abscesses and additional pathologies.