ANORECTAL DISEASE Flashcards
What is an anal fissure?
a tear or ulcer in the lining of the anal canal
Where do anal fissures most commonly occur?
posterior midline of the anal canal.
If not here then consider other underlying causes e.g. crohns
(Midline 6&12 o’clock)
How do we classify anal fissures?
Acute — if present for less than 6 weeks.
Chronic — if present for 6 weeks or longer.
Primary — if there is no clear underlying cause.
Secondary — if there is a clear underlying cause.
What can cause secondary anal fissures?
Constipation/passage of hard stools
Conditions which can cause ulceration of the anal mucosa such as: IBD, STIs, colorectal cancer, derm conditions e.g. psoriasis and pruritis ani, skin infections
anal trauma (surgery/sex)
adverse drug effects,
Pregnancy and childbirth
Where do we tend to see anal fissures caused by childbirth?
anterior midline.
What are the risk factors of anal fissures?
IBD
Constipation
STIs - HIV, syphilis, herpes
Low fibre diet
Diarrhoea
Previous anal surgery
Anal trauma
Abnormalities of internal anal sphincter
What are the complications of an anal fissure?
Failure to heal/progression to chronic fissure.
Recurrent fissure.
Anorectal fistula.
Infection/abscess.
Faecal impaction if avoiding defecation due to pain
Reduced quality of life due to pain (especially in chronic cases)
What are the symptoms and signs of an anal fissure?
Sharp, severe anal pain always occurs with passing a stool followed by deep burning pain that persists for several hours.
Small amount of bleeding may occur with defecation
A tearing sensation on passing stool
Midline tear
How do acute and chronic anal fissures compare on inspection?
Acute anal fissures- superficial with well-demarcated edges.
Chronic anal fissures - wider and deeper with muscle fibres visible in the base. The edges are often swollen, and a skin tag may be visible at the end of the fissure.
How do primary and secondary anal fissures compare on inspection?
Primary anal fissures - usually singular and occur in the posterior midline of the anus (although a few cases may be seen in the anterior midline;especially in women).
Secondary anal fissures - may have an irregular outline, be multiple, or occur laterally — these require further investigation to identify the underlying cause
What should you consider if a child has an anal fissure and other possible causes have been excluded?
Sexual abuse
What are the differential diagnoses of anal fissures?
Thrombosed haemorrhoids
Inflammatory bowel disease.
Sarcoidosis.
Infection for example tuberculosis, HIV, or syphilis.
Malignancy for example anal carcinoma or lymphoma.
Peri-anal abscess.
What are thrombosed haemorrhoids
How do they present?
when a blood clot forms inside a hemorrhoidal vein, obstructing blood flow and causing a painful swelling of the anal tissues.
pain sitting, walking, or going to the toilet to pass a stool.
itching around the anus.
bleeding when passing a stool.
swelling or lumps around the anus.
How do we treat anal fissures?
If cancer is suspected then consider need for 2WW referral or other appropriate specialist if another serious underlying cause is suspected
If acute…
Ensure stools are soft and easy to pass - advice on dietary fibre, adequate fluid intake and bulk forming laxatives. Try petroleum jelly before defecation.
Hygiene - anal region clean and dry to aid healing and avoid complications
Advise against stool withholding
Manage pain - NSAIDs, warm baths particularly after a bowel movement, maybe topical anaesthetic for use before passing a stool e.g. lidocaine
Chronic:
Above continue
GTN topical for 8 weeks
If not effective then consider spincterotomy or botulinum toxin
What should you think if an elderly person presents with anal fissures?
Likely to be colorectal cancer
How should you manage an adult with a primary anal fissure who has had symptoms for 1 week or more without improvement?
Consider prescribing rectal GTN ointment twice a day for 6-8 weeks
Whats the main side effect of GTN ointment?
25% experience headaches
What follow-up advice should be offered for those undergoing management for primary anal fissures?
In a child, advise the parents/carers to return if the fissure is unhealed after 2 weeks, or earlier if the child is in a lot of pain.
In an adult, review if the fissure is unhealed after 6–8 weeks, or earlier if needed
Advise all people that they should continue with the dietary and lifestyle measures when the fissure has healed to reduce the risk of recurrence.
What is pruritis ani?
Itchy bottom that causes perianal excoriation
What typically causes pruritus ani?
Primary - idiopathic, faecal contamination
Secondary - skin conditions (contact dermatitis, atopic eczema, lichen plants etc…), infections (including parasites), colorectal and anal pathology, systemic diseases, psychological disorders, systemic and topical drugs, certain foods and drinks, certain clothings and detergents
Whats the management of pruritis ani?
Enhancing toilet hygiene
Avoiding foods and drinks that aggravate it
Avoid scratching
Considering a cotton wool plug to soften faeces leaking from anus during exercise
Keeping area dry and avoiding use of perfumed moisturising creams
Avoid straining and mechanical irritation
Advise about dietary fibre and fluid intake
Manage any constipation
Soothing creams or ointments containing zinc oxide (some find Vaseline useful)
Mildly potent topical corticosteroid if skin is inflamed
Sedating antihistamine if disturbed sleep due to nocturnal itching
What are haemorrhoids?
abnormally swollen vascular mucosal cushions in the anal canal
What are the vascular mucosal cushions?
Submucosal cushions of vascular tissue that help maintain anal continence
They are typically present at 3, 7 and 11 o’clock but there is individual variation - left lateral, right posterior and right anterior portions of anal canal
What is the dentate line and where is it?
It’s a line that marks the transition between the upper and lower anal canal
It is situated 2cm from the anal verge
What are external haemorrhoids?
originate below the dentate line and are covered by modified squamous epithelium (anoderm), which is richly innervated with pain fibres.
External haemorrhoids can therefore be itchy and painful.
What are internal haemorrhoids?
arise above the dentate line and are covered by columnar epithelium, which have no pain fibres. Internal haemorrhoids are therefore not sensitive to touch, temperature, or pain (unless they become strangulated).
How are internal haemorrhoids graded?
By degree of prolapse
First degree (Grade 1) — haemorrhoids project into the lumen of the anal canal but do not prolapse.
Second degree (Grade 2) — haemorrhoids protrude beyond the anal canal on straining but spontaneously reduce when straining is stopped.
Third degree (Grade 3) — haemorrhoids protrude outside the anal canal and reduce fully on manual pressure.
Fourth degree (Grade 4) — haemorrhoids protrude outside the anal canal and cannot be reduced.
What are the predisposing factors for haemorrhoids?
Constipation
Straining while trying to pass stools
Ageing
Conditions that cause raised intraabdominal pressure
Chronic cough
Heavy lifting
Exercise
Hereditary factors
Low fibre diet
(These factors lead to increased pressure within the submucosal arteriovenous plexus and ultimately contribute to swelling of the cushions, laxity of the supporting connective tissue, and protrusion into and through the anal canal)
What are the complications of haemorrhoids?
Perianal thrombosis.
Incarceration of prolapsing haemorrhoidal tissue
Ulceration — from thrombosis of external haemorrhoids.
Skin tags — from repeated episodes of haemorrhoid dilatation and thrombosis.
Maceration of the perianal skin — due to mucus discharge.
Ischaemia, thrombosis, or gangrene in fourth degree internal haemorrhoids
Anal stenosis.
Perianal or pelvic sepsis (rare).
Anaemia from continuous or excessive bleeding (rare).
What proportion of those with haemorrhoids will require surgery to alleviate their symptoms?
About 10%
(Recurrence rate after surgery is 13%)
What are the sympotms of haemorrhoids?
Bright red PAINLESS rectal bleeding
Anal itching/irritation
Feeling of rectal fullness or tenesmus
Soiling
Pain (mostly with thrombosed external haemorrhoids)
How are haemorrhoids diagnosed?
Visual inspection
Anoscopy for internal haemorrhoids
Digital rectal exam
Who with haemorrhoids should you consider there need for urgent admission or referral?
Consider admitting people with:
Extremely painful, acutely thrombosed external haemorrhoids who present within 72 hours of onset (reduction or excision may be needed).
Internal haemorrhoids which have prolapsed and become swollen, incarcerated, and thrombosed (haemorrhoidectomy may be needed).
Perianal sepsis (a rare but life-threatening complication).
How should you manage haemorrhoids?
Ensure stools are soft and easy to pass - advice on fibre and fluids
Lifestyle advice on correct anal hygiene and avoiding stool withholding
Simple analgesia or a topical haemorrhoids l preparation for symptomatic relief
What treatment is available for haemorrhoids in secondary care?
Rubber band ligation
Injection scleropathy
Infrared coagulation
Bipolar diathermy and direct-current electro therapy
Haemorrhoidectomy
Stapled haemorrhoidectomy
Haemorrhoidal artery ligation
What is rubber band ligation?
A band is applied to the base of the haemorrhoid. The strangulated haemorrhoid becomes necrotic and sloughs off. The underlying tissue undergoes fixation by fibrotic wound healing. Up to three haemorrhoids can be banded at one visit.
What is injection sclerotherapy?
Oily phenol is injected into the submucosa of the rectum, around the pedicles of the haemorrhoids. It induces a fibrotic reaction which obliterates the haemorrhoidal vessels, causing atrophy of the haemorrhoids.
What is infrared coagulation?
This involves using infrared energy to produce an area of submucosal fibrosis leading to mucosal fixation and a reduction in the tendency to prolapse.
What is bipolar diathermy and direct-current electro therapy?
A probe with metal contact points is placed at the base of the haemorrhoid above the dentate line and a direct electric current is delivered. The aim of the direct current application is to cause thrombosis of the feeding vessels and to cause the haemorrhoid to shrink.
What is a haemorrhoidectomy?
an operation to remove severe haemorrhoids
What is a stapled haemorrhoidectomy?
A circular stapling gun is used to excise a doughnut of mucosa from the upper anal canal and lift the haemorrhoidal cushions back within the canal.
What is haemorrhoidal aretry ligation?
Using a proctoscope, the haemorrhoidal arteries are ligated with sutures (above the dentate line) to remove the flow of blood to the haemorrhoids
What is a fistula?
an abnormal connection between an organ, vessel, or intestine and another organ, vessel or intestine, or the skin.
What can cause an anal fistula?
After an anal abscess or previous ano-rectal sepsis
Less common causes of anal fistulas include:
IBD - mainly perianal Crohn’s disease
diverticulitis
hidradenitis suppurativa
infection with Tb or HIV
Trauma or previous radiation therapy
a complication of surgery near the anus