Does HIV status influence the anatomy of anal fistulas?

PURPOSE: Although anorectal disease is common in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients, little is known about the type and anatomic distribution of anal fistulas in this patient group. The aim of this study was to compare anatomic characteristics of anal fistulas in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients with those in human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients by use of a retrospective chart review. METHODS: The charts of 146 male patients younger than 50 years with an anal fistula were reviewed. Incomplete fistulas referred to those tracts arising from an internal opening into either a blind sinus or an undrained abscess cavity. RESULTS: There were 60 human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients and 86 human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients. Mean age of the human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient group was 37 yearsvs. 40 years for the human immunodeficiency virus-negative patient group. Thirty-one human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients (52 percent) were classified as having AIDS, and the remaining 29 patients (48 percent) were asymptomatic. Mean T helper cell count in the human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient group was 277 cells per microliter. Fistulous tracts were intersphincteric (n=56), transsphincteric (n=41), suprasphincteric (n=2), and incomplete (n=47). Incomplete fistulas were identified in 33 (55 percent) human immunodeficiency virus-positive patientsvs. 14 (16 percent) human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients (P<0.001). Of the 47 incomplete fistulas, 37 (79 percent) were found in association with an abscess cavity. All ten patients with an incomplete fistula into a blind sinus were human immunodeficiency virus-positive. The incidence of an incomplete fistula without an abscess was significantly higher in the human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient group (17 percent) compared with the human immunodeficiency virus-negative patient group (0 percent;P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Anal fistulas in HIV-positive patients arise from the dentate line in similar locations to human immunodeficiency virusnegative patients. However, human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients were more likely to have incomplete anal fistulas than human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients. Furthermore, human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients are predisposed to incomplete fistulas leading into a blind sinus.Read at the meeting of The Southern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, Dana Point, California, January 17 to 19, 1997.     

LIFT术与肛瘘切开术治疗经括约肌肛瘘的近远期肛门功能变化观察

目的观察经括约肌间瘘管结扎术（LIFT）与肛瘘切开术治疗经括约肌肛瘘的近远期肛门功能变化。 方法选取深圳市南山区人民医院2015年9月至2017年2月收治的120例经括约肌肛瘘患者,随机分为观察组与对照组,每组各60例。对照组采取肛瘘切开术,观察组采取LIFT术。比较两组手术时间、创面愈合时间及术后第1 d、第3 d及第7 d的创面VAS疼痛评分,术后1个月的总治愈率、术后并发症总发生率及随访6个月的复发率,比较两组术前、术后1个月及术后6个月的肛门功能（应用盆底肌电图和肛门直肠压力测定进行评价）。 结果观察组创面愈合时间为（27.44±6.12）d,短于对照组（32.71±8.35）d（t=-3.943,P=0.000）;两组术后第1 d与第3 d的VAS疼痛评分无明显差异（P>0.05）,观察组术后第7 d的VAS疼痛评分为（2.11±0.66）分,低于对照组（3.56±0.91）分（t=-9.991,P=0.000）。观察组与对照组愈合率分别为90.00%和93.33%,复发率分别为13.33%和10.00%,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。观察组术后并发症总发生率为3.33%,低于对照组13.33%（χ²=3.927,P=0.048）。观察组术后1个月与6个月的耻骨直肠肌、内括约肌、外括约肌运动单位电位（MUP）平均时限及肛管静息压与肛管最大收缩压与术前比较无统计学意义（P>0.05）,对照组均下降（P<0.05）;观察组术后1个月与6个月的耻骨直肠肌、内括约肌、外括约肌MUP平均时限及肛管静息压与肛管最大收缩压均高于对照组。 结论LIFT术治疗经括约肌肛瘘可减轻手术对括约肌的损伤,从而减轻患者术后疼痛、促进创面愈合,减少术后并发症,使患者近远期肛门功能得到保护。     

A study of suppurative pathologies associated with chronic anal fissures

Background Suppurative pathologies associated with chronic anal fissures are common but not well documented. Fissure abscess, post–fissure fistula, and post–fissure antibioma are but a few of them. These pathologies increase the complications and morbidity of the primary lesion and need a comprehensive approach. Methods From the hospital case record of 532 patients treated for chronic anal fissures, 88 patients (16.5%) were found to have one of these pathologies. This retrospective study describes such pathologies in terms of demographics, clinical presentation, pathological features, operative technique and outcome. Results Of the 88 patients who presented with pain and discharge per anus, 90% could resume their duties within a week of the surgical procedure. Wound healing took between 2 weeks and 2 months. At the last follow– up at 18 months, three patients had a recurrence (3.4%). Conclusions Suppuration in chronic anal fissure seems to be more frequent than described. While dealing with the anal fissure, it is desirable to look for and attend to these associated pathologies, especially to avoid complications and morbidity of the primary disease.     

Cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis with cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis: a case report and literature review

Cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis (CLV) is a small-vessel vasculitis localized to the skin. Many possible causes exist for this pathological condition, including drugs, infection, collagen vascular disease, and malignancy. However, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is rarely reported to be associated with CLV. Here, we report a 49-year-old male patient that presented with fever, myalgia, and multiple palpable purpura on both of his legs. The biopsy from the purpura yielded a histologic diagnosis of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The patient had several enlarged lymph nodes on his right neck, and the biopsy revealed tuberculous lymphadenitis. There were no signs of vasculitis present in the internal organs. After anti-tuberculosis treatment, his fever declined and the skin purpura were completely resolved. Although incidence is rare, tuberculosis should be considered as a possible cause of CLV.     

Rifampin levels, interferon-gamma release and outcome in complicated pulmonary tuberculosis

Factors that relate to medium-term outcome in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) who have completed the 2-month intensive phase of treatment are incompletely understood. The relationship between in vitro production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukins (ILs)-5 and -10 and drug levels determined after 2 months of drug therapy, to outcome at 24 months was studied prospectively. Cytokine concentrations were determined from culture supernatants after stimulation of whole blood with purified protein derivative (PPD) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Plasma concentrations of rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The treatment failure and relapse free survival probability was 0.54 (95% CI: 0.40-0.67) at 24 months. In multivariate analysis of parameters at 2 months the strongest positive associations with disease free survival were IFN-gamma response to PPD (p=0.002) and serum creatinine (p=0.001). Drug concentrations were not associated with outcome although rifampin exposure correlated with IFN-gamma response to PPD (p=0.0132). These data suggest that the ability to mount a recall immune response to M. tuberculosis may influence treatment outcome. The data support the idea to identify persons at risk of a poor treatment outcome by monitoring of the in vitro response to tuberculosis antigens.     

Anatomic nature and surgical significance of anal sinus and anal intramuscular glands

The nature of anal sinus and anal intramuscular glands is well known, but their origin is still discussed. In the past years a surprising new theory about the invagination of the proctodeum into the hindgut was put forward. Evidence supporting this theory would be the existence of an anorectal band and epithelial debris in the subanoderm formed during total or partial obliteration of the anal sinuses. To characterize these histological structures, the authors examined 62 autopsy specimens with conventional and special immunohistologic staining methods. In none of the examined specimens could the structures mentioned above be detected. Nearly 90 percent of our specimens contained the well known anal sinuses. In fetuses, neonatal deaths, and children, more than one-half of the anal sinuses were accompanied by anal intramuscular glands penetrating the internal anal sphincter, whereas in adult specimens the anal intramuscular glands were rare. Eight postoperative, idiopathic chronic anal fissures and three postoperative anal fistulas examined with the same staining procedures showed epithelial cells at the base of the fissures or fistulas in two cases (25 percent) and three cases (100 percent), respectively. The results reinforce the theory that anal sinuses and anal intramuscular glands are separate anatomic entities and indicate a new theory of anal development. For idiopathic, chronic anal diseases anal sinuses have little surgical significance. Anal intramuscular glands should be the anatomic correlate of anal fistulas.     

复杂性肛瘘保留括约肌手术的治疗进展

目前复杂性肛瘘的治疗普遍存在复发率高、肛门功能保护不足的现状.传统的肛瘘切开术和切割挂线术损伤肛门括约肌,易致肛门失禁,已逐渐被保留括约肌术式,如推移瓣、肛瘘栓、经括约肌间瘘管结扎术等所取代.本文将对复杂性肛瘘保留括约肌手术治疗进展作一综述.     

Professor Ahmed Shafik (1933–2007)

Most cases of anal abscess are caused by anal fistula and invasion of the surrounding tissues by a mixed colonic flora. Treatment consists of excision of the abscess and, in case of fistula, fistulectomy. Primary anorectal and perianal forms of actinomycosis are very rare and caused by actinomyces, as ubiquitous anaerobics bacterium. We report a case of perianal actinomycosis. The patient had a short history of painless perineal induration without fever and leukocytosis with normal results at routine blood examination. After excision, sulfur granules drained from the cavity and pathological investigations indicated perianal actinomycosis. Appropriate surgery and antibiotic treatment healed the perianal infection. After exclusion of possible diagnoses such as Crohn’s disease, tuberculosis and malignant growths, the rare case of perianal actinomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of painless perianal masses.     

Cutting seton for anal fistulas

PURPOSE: Long-term results of cutting seton in the treatment of anal fistulas were studied. METHODS: Of the 44 patients with anal fistulas, mainly of the high variety, managed with this method, 35 (25 men) attended a clinical and manometric follow-up examination on average 70 (range, 28–184) months after operation. Fistula distribution was high transsphincteric (25), low transsphincteric (5), extrasphincteric (3), and suprasphincteric (2). The seton was tightened at one-week to two-week intervals to achieve gradual sphincter division. RESULTS: Time required to achieve complete fistula healing ranged from 37 to 557 (mean, 151) days. Two (6 percent) of the 35 patients reexamined had recurrence of fistula and 22 (63 percent) reported symptoms of minor impairment in anal control, which in four patients had existed already before operation. Anal resting pressures were similar for defective and normal control, but other manometric variables were inferior in incontinence, although total squeeze pressure only showed statistically significant difference from normal continence ( P =0.0345). Incontinence was likely associated with hard and gutter-shaped operation scars in the anal canal, but the difference from normal continence was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Cutting seton yields fairly good results in regard to cure of fistula, but the risk of anal incontinence, despite its minor degree, seems to be too high to recommend its routine use for all high fistulas. The suprasphincteric fistulas and some extrasphincteric fistulas are difficult to treat otherwise, but especially for high transsphincteric fistulas, other methods of treatment (preferably those in which sphincter division can be avoided and the risk of anal canal deformity and incontinence are minimized) are advocated.No reprints are available.     

Risk of sphincter damage and anal incontinence after anal dilatation for fissure-in-ano

Follow-up was performed two to six years after anal dilatation for fissure-in-ano in 32 consecutive patients who had not undergone additional anal surgery. All patients were interviewed and asked specifically about impairment of flatus or fecal control and its possible relation to the anal dilatation. Anal dilatation was followed by minor anal incontinence in 12.5 percent of the patients. Anal endosonographic follow-up was accepted by 20 patients, and sphincteric defects were found in 13 (65 percent) of those. Two patients with anal incontinence had internal sphincter defects. Sphincteric defects were also found in 11 of the 18 continent patients who underwent sonography: internal sphincter defects in nine, external sphincter defect in one, and combined defects of both sphincter muscles in one. In conclusion, anal dilatation results in sphincter damage in more than half of patients, but few of them develop anal incontinence.     

Monoclonal antibodies to Mycobacterium tuberculosis CDC 1551 reveal subcellular localization of MPT51

Mycobacterium tuberculosis CDC 1551, a highly immunogenic outbreak strain, previously reported to have unique surface distribution of capsular polysaccharide, was used to generate novel monoclonal antibodies (mabs) to surface mycobacterial targets. Two immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) mAbs, 16a1 and 16a6 were generated. The mAbs originated from the same B cell, bound strongly to whole cell M. tuberculosis CDC1551 and to its cell wall, membrane and cytosol fractions recognizing a 90kDa protein. Immunoprecipitation using mAb 16a1 isolated a protein with amino acid peptide sequences matching MPT51 from the cytosol. This immunogenic protein of unknown function was previously reported only in culture filtrates of M. tuberculosis. Our findings suggest for the first time that this protein is found within the M. tuberculosis cell.     

Anal endosonography: Relationship with anal manometry and neurophysiologic tests

Thirty-seven patients were referred for evaluation of anal function; their clinical diagnoses were traumatic fecal incontinence (13), idiopathic (pudendal neuropathy) fecal incontinence (7), fecal soiling (9), and other (8). In all patients, anal endosonography (sphincter defects and internal sphincter thickness [IST]) and anal manometry (maximal basal pressure [MBP] and maximal squeeze pressure [MSP]) were performed. In 18 patients, neurophysiologic tests (EMG-maximal contraction pattern [MCP], single-fiber EMG [fiber density; FD], and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency [PNTML]) were also performed. Endosonography demonstrated in seven patients both an internal and external sphincter defect (Group 1), in seven patients an internal sphincter defect and in one patient an external sphincter defect (Group 2), and in 22 patients no sphincter defect (Group 3). There was a significant difference among these three groups for MBP and MCP, the lowest being in Group 1. Between the patients with traumatic fecal incontinence and idiopathic fecal incontinence, no differences in IST, MBP, MSP, MCP, FD, and PNTML were found. In two patients with a suspected obstetric trauma, there was an unexpected additional severe pudendal neuropathy. In one patient with a suspected obstetric trauma, no damage of the anal sphincters could be demonstrated. In one patient with suspected idiopathic fecal incontinence, there was an additional, unsuspected defect of the internal sphincter. There was concordance between endosonography and EMG in the mapping of the external sphincter. Clinical diagnoses can be misleading in differentiating between traumatic and idiopathic fecal incontinence; anal endosonography provides unsuspected and additional information about the sphincters; PNTML can reveal unsuspected neuropathy in traumatic fecal incontinence. Therefore, the combination of endosonography and PNTML is promising in selecting patients for surgery.     

Clinical and manometric results of endorectal advancement flaps for complex anal fistula

Backgrounds and aim Endorectal advancement flap repair is a well-recognized method for the treatment of complex anorectal fistula. The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess the clinical and functional results of endorectal advancement flaps for complex anorectal fistula and to identify factors that affect outcome. Materials and methods A prospective study of 56 patients was performed. Clinical and functional results were studied using the Wexner continence scale and anal manometry before and after surgery. Factors associated with recurrence and incontinence were analyzed by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. Results Sixty endorectal flaps were constructed in 56 patients. Mean age was 49 years (range 24–74). The fistula was of cryptoglandular origin in 91.1% cases. Mean follow-up was 43.8 months. The technique was repeated in four patients because of recurrence (7.1%), with subsequent healing in all cases. There were significant reductions in maximum resting pressure 3 months after surgery (83.6±33.2 vs 45.6±18.3, p<0.001) and maximum squeeze pressure (208.8±91.5 vs 169.5±75, p<0.001). Before surgery, five patients (8.9%) reported incontinence symptoms. After surgery, 78.6% patients had normal continence, seven patients (12.5%) complained of minor incontinence, and five (9%) had major continence disturbances. None of the variables studied (age, sex, previous fistula surgery, rectovaginal fistula, and Crohn’s disease) affected the outcome of the procedure in multivariate analysis. Conclusions Endorectal advancement flap repair is an effective technique for complex anal fistula, with a low recurrence rate (7.1%). Patients (21.4%) reported disturbed anal continence. It is still not possible to identify factors that are predictive of failure or incontinence.     

Vaccine and skin testing properties of two avirulent Mycobacterium bovis mutants with and without an additional esat-6 mutation

SETTING: Molecular techniques are now available to develop new live tuberculosis vaccines by producing avirulent strains of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex with known genes deleted. OBJECTIVES: Determine if removal of esat-6 from new live tuberculosis vaccines with known attenuating mutations affects their vaccine efficacy and if it could enable the development of discriminating diagnostic tests. DESIGN: Remove the esat-6 gene by allelic exchange from two illegitimate mutants of Mycobacterium bovis that had previously been shown to have similar vaccine efficacy to BCG in a guinea pig vaccination model. Determine the effect this removal has on virulence, vaccine efficacy and skin test reactivity in guinea pigs. RESULTS: Two double knockout strains of M. bovis were produced and their virulence and vaccine efficacy were compared to their parent strains. Removal of the esat-6 gene had no significant effect on vaccine efficacy. In skin tests, animals inoculated with the double knockout strains reacted to PPD but not ESAT-6, whereas those inoculated with the parent strains had similar skin test reactivity to both PPD and esat-6. CONCLUSION: Removal of esat-6 from new live tuberculosis vaccine candidates has no significant effect on vaccine properties but does enable the use of skin tests to distinguish between vaccination and infection.     

Incidence of fistulas after drainage of acute anorectal abscesses

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of anal fistulas and factors related to this incidence after incision and drainage of acute cryptoglandular anorectal abscesses. METHODS: Of 170 patients without previous anal fistulas, 146 were followed up for an average of 99 (range, 22–187) months after abscess drainage or until a fistula appeared. RESULTS: Fifty-four (37 percent) patients developed a fistula, and 15 (10 percent) patients developed a recurrent abscess. The incidence of fistulas was higher in females than in males (50vs. 31 percent;P=0.0403), especially regarding anterior abscesses (88vs. 33 percent). Abscesses growingEscherichia coli were more prone to fistula formation than those growing other bacteria (46vs. 27 percent;P=0.0368). CONCLUSION: Incision and drainage alone of acute anorectal abscesses is recommended, because an unnecessary primary fistulotomy can be avoided in more than half of the patients by this approach. For superficial anterior abscesses in females, however, primary fistulotomy may be considered.     

Treatment of transsphincteric anal fistulas by the seton technique

Twenty-one patients with high transsphincteric fistulas treated by the seton technique were re-examined after two to 14 years. None had recurrent fistulas, but 13 (62 percent) had some degree of continence disturbances. All patients with anal deformities had continence disorders.     

The anal sphincter in idiopathic megarectum

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the function and morphology of anal sphincters in patients with an idiopathic megarectum. METHODS: A total of 17 patients were studied by anal endosonography and manometry when not impacted. Fourteen had previously been manually disimpacted under general anesthetic, and three had not. RESULTS: Nine of 14 patients in the former group, but none of the latter group, had disruption of one or both anal sphincter muscles on endosonography. Endosonographic changes were characteristic of those identified previously in patients following anal dilation. Low anal resting pressure, indicative of internal sphincter dysfunction, was found in a substantial proportion of patients with either an endosonographically intact or disrupted internal anal sphincter. Voluntary contraction increment, a reflection of external sphincter function, was normal in all patients. CONCLUSION: Manual disimpaction under general anesthetic appears to be associated with iatrogenic structural injury to the anal sphincters. In some patients, this may contribute to sphincter weakness. This damage may contribute to the incontinence experienced by patients with a dilated rectum.Dr. Gattuso was supported by the Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics Trust and the British Digestive Foundation.No reprints are available.     

Mycobacterium tuberculosis PE_PGRS16 and PE_PGRS26 genetic polymorphism among clinical isolates

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis PE_PGRS multigene family is thought to be involved in antigenic variation, which can be generated by differential regulation of expression and a high frequency of genetic polymorphism. PE_PGRS16 and PE_PGRS26 are inversely regulated during persistent M. tuberculosis infection, suggesting that differential regulation of the expression of these two PE_PGRS genes may have a role in latency. To understand how genetic diversity, in addition to differential regulation, contributes to antigenic variability, we investigated the sequence variations in the PE_PGRS16 and PE_PGRS26 genes among 200 clinical M. tuberculosis strains, in comparison to the sequenced laboratory strain H37Rv, using PCR and DNA sequencing. Among the 200 strains, 102 (51%) and 100 (50%) had sequence variations within the PE_PGRS16 gene and the PE_PGRS26 gene, respectively. In-frame insertions and deletions, frameshifts, and SNPs were observed in both the PE_PGRS16 gene and the PE_PGRS26 gene. However, the frequency of frameshifts and in-frame deletions differed between the two PE_PGRS genes. Examining the profile of the PE_PGRS16, PE_PGRS26, and the previously investigated PE_PGRS33 amino acid sequences for each of the 200 strains, 72 different profiles were observed with frequencies ranging from 0.5% to 13%. In conclusion, a remarkable level of genetic diversity exists in the PE_PGRS16 and PE_PGRS26 genes of M. tuberculosis clinical strains. The significant sequence variations in the two PE_PGRS genes observed in this study could impact the function of these two PE_PGRS proteins and be associated with differences in the ability of the tubercle bacilli to remain persistent within the host.     

Mucinous adenocarcinoma associated with chronic anal fistula reconstructed by gracilis myocutaneous flaps

Mucinous adenocarcinoma associated with chronic anal fistula is extremely rare, and such tumors have often reached an advanced stage at the time of presentation. Here we report a case of mucinous adenocarcinoma associated with chronic anal fistula that involved repair with gracilis myocutaneous flaps and review other reported cases. A 67-year-old man with an approximate 30-year history of an anal fistula was referred to our hospital due to enlargement of the perianal induration accompanied by mucinous secretion and pain. Physical examination of the perianal region revealed an ulcerated and discharging lesion on the buttocks. Histologic examination of a biopsy specimen of the ulcerated lesion revealed mucinous adenocarcinoma. An abdominoperineal resection was performed with resection of the ischiorectal fossa, coccyx, part of the gluteus maximus, and the obturator internus. The extensive defect was repaired with bilateral gracilis myocutaneous flaps. The patient did not experience a decrease in the strength of hip adduction and survived for 58 months without recurrence until he died of pneumonia. The repair using myocutaneous flaps was considered to contribute to a physically active life without recurrence.