Pathology -- Anorectal Disorders Flashcards
3 anorectal disorders
- Hemorrhoidal disease
- Fissures
- Anorectal abscess and fistula-in-ano
Define a hemorrhoid
A sinusoid “cushion” consisting of ARTERIAL and venous blood (even though they look blue) that lines the anal canal
Function of hemorrhoids
- Contribute ~15% to consistence
- Engorge when abdominal pressure increases
- May prevent injury to anodern by hard stools
Describe the characteristics of internal hemorrhoids
- Above the dentate, in the anal canal
- Visceral innervation, insensate
- Supplied by branches of superior/middle rectal arteries
- Derived from endoderm
Describe the characteristics of external hemorrhoids
- Near the anal verge
- Anodren: somatic innervation from the pudendal nerve, sensate
- Inferior rectal arteries
- Derived from ectoderm
6 differential diagnoses for hemorrhoids
- Rectal prolapse
- Anal fissure (sentinel pile)
- Neoplasms (anal cancer)
- Condylomas (warts)
- Crohn’s/IBD
- Infections
Position of internal hemorrhoids anatomically
- Left lateral
- Right antero-lateral
- Right postero-lateral
Location of external hemorrhoids
Lining the perianal skin
Presentation of external hemerrhoids
- Very painful
- Patients report a tender, pea-sized lump
Consequence of external hemerrhoids
Rather than prolapsing, can THROMBOSE
6 signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids
- Bleeding – Bright red blood per rectum (BRBPR)
- Anal pain
- Tenesmus
- Perianal mass
- Urgency to defecate (i.e. immediately)
- Itch (pruritus ani)
Why might a patient present with anal pain if they have hemorrhoids
Burnign due to irritation fo the anoderm
3 characteristics of BRBPR
- Streaking stools or toilet paper
- Dripping into bowl (NOT mixed)
- Often find an association with hard stools, constipation, straining
Describe the classiciation of internal hemorrhoids
5 treatments/advice on treatment for internal hemorrhoids
Depends on grade:
- Stool bulking/softeners; warm sitz bath
- NO creams/ suppositories
- AVOID straining, prolonged pressures (like reading on toilet)
- Rubber bang ligation/ scleropathy/ infrared coagulation (Gr 2, 3)
- Surgical excision (Gr 3, 4)
Treatments for external hemorrhoids
- If thrombosed <48 h: surgical excision (do not INCISE them)
- If >48h: warm sitz baths, stool softeners, bulkers. Clot will reabsorb with time
Describe surgical excision of hemorrhoids
Removal of hemorrhoidal bundles with closure of mucosa
Potential consequence of surgical excision for hemorrhoids
Excess removal can cause anal stenosis
Importance of recurrence prevention post-surgical excision of hemorrhoids
- High fiber diet
- Adequate water intake
- Proper toileting habits
Define an anal fissure
A linear tear in the anoderm, distal to the dentate line
Presentation of anal fissure (4)
- Extremely painful – burning/tearing, usually associated with a hard BM (can also occur with diarrhea)
- Pain happens during the movement, then lasts a few minutes (note: chronic = possibly lasts for hours)
- Bright red bleeding
- Potentially cannot perform DRE (too painful)