Abstract
Objective This study aimed to optimize the CT images of anal fistula patients using a convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm to investigate the anal function recovery. Methods 57 patients with complex anal fistulas admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to February 2021 were selected as research subjects. Of them, CT images of 34 cases were processed using the deep learning neural network, defined as the experimental group, and the remaining unprocessed 23 cases were in the control group. Whether to process CT images depended on the patient's own wish. The imaging results were compared with the results observed during the surgery. Results It was found that, in the experimental group, the images were clearer, with DSC = 0.89, precision = 0.98, and recall = 0.87, indicating that the processing effects were good; that the CT imaging results in the experimental group were more consistent with those observed during the surgery, and the difference was notable (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the experimental group had lower RP (mmHg), AMCP (mmHg) scores, and postoperative recurrence rate, with notable differences noted (P < 0.05). Conclusion CT images processed by deep learning are clearer, leading to higher accuracy of preoperative diagnosis, which is suggested in clinics.
Highlights
Anal fistula, known as “anal leakage,” is a chronic inflammatory disease that starts with the anal gland and invades the anal canal and other normal skin tissues around the anus [1], so it is defined as inflammatory rectum disease (RD) [2]. e anal fistula is composed of the internal opening, the fistula, and the external opening [3]
For complex anal fistula, it is reported that the recurrence rate is as high as 30% to 50% or even 10% patients cannot be radically cured after another operation [7]. ere are many factors that affect surgical treatment. e main factor is whether the positioning of the internal mouth is accurate before surgery [8, 9], and the symptomatic degree of the surgical plan will affect the probability of recurrence and the degree of anal function retention [10, 11]. e complex anal fistula is mainly treated by the surgery, with traditional Chinese medicine used for adjuvant treatment. erefore, imaging examination is of great significance for the treatment of the complex anal fistula [12, 13]
There was no difference in the external opening, while parameters such as the internal openings, the trend of the fistula, whether there was branch, whether the fistula was associated with the perianal muscle, and fistula diameter ≥ 2 mm were different from the results observed during the surgical treatment in both the experimental group and the control group, and notable differences were noted between the CT examination results and the postoperative results in both groups (P < 0.05), suggesting that the accuracy of CT examination was insufficient (Table 3)
Summary
Known as “anal leakage,” is a chronic inflammatory disease that starts with the anal gland and invades the anal canal and other normal skin tissues around the anus [1], so it is defined as inflammatory rectum disease (RD) [2]. e anal fistula is composed of the internal opening, the fistula, and the external opening [3]. Ere are two main treatment methods for anal fistula: one is conservative treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine, and the other is surgical treatment [6]. Ere are many factors that affect surgical treatment. E main factor is whether the positioning of the internal mouth is accurate before surgery [8, 9], and the symptomatic degree of the surgical plan will affect the probability of recurrence and the degree of anal function retention [10, 11]. E complex anal fistula is mainly treated by the surgery, with traditional Chinese medicine used for adjuvant treatment. Erefore, imaging examination is of great significance for the treatment of the complex anal fistula [12, 13]. Deep convolutional network models can learn image features from a large number of samples, achieving end-to-end classification and detection [17]
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