ESGAR consensus statement on the imaging of fistula-in-ano and other causes of anal sepsis

S. Halligan*, D. Tolan, M. M. Amitai, C. Hoeffel, S. H. Kim, F. Maccioni, M. M. Morrin, K. J. Mortele, S. R. Rafaelsen, J. Rimola, S. Schmidt, J. Stoker, J. Yang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: To develop imaging guidelines for patients with fistula-in-ano and other causes of anal sepsis. Methods: An expert group of 13 members of the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) used a modified Delphi process to vote on a series of consensus statements relating to the imaging of patients with potential anal sepsis. Participants first completed a questionnaire to gather practice information and to help frame the statements posed. Results: In the first round of voting, the expert group scored 51 statements of which 45 (88%) achieved immediate consensus. The remaining 6 statements were redrafted following input from the expert group and consensus achieved for all during a second round of voting, including an additional statement drafted. No statement was rejected due to a lack of consensus. After redrafting to improve clarity, 53 individual statements were presented. Conclusion: These expert consensus statements can be used to guide appropriate indication, acquisition, interpretation and reporting of medical imaging for patients with potential fistula-in-ano and other causes of anal sepsis. Key Points: • Medical imaging, notably magnetic resonance imaging, is used widely for the diagnosis and monitoring of fistula-in-ano and other causes of anal and perianal sepsis. • While the indexed medical literature is clear that diagnostic accuracy is potentially excellent, this depends on competent image acquisition and interpretation. • In order to facilitate this, the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) has produced expert consensus guidelines regarding the imaging of fistula-in-ano and related conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4734-4740
Number of pages7
JournalEuropean Radiology
Volume30
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2020

Keywords

  • Anal fistula
  • Anal sphincter
  • Anus diseases
  • Guideline
  • Practice guideline

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