VHM09 The Use of Rectal EUS in the Management of Perianal and Fistulizing Crohn's Disease

Abstract

BackgroundPerianal Crohn's represents an aggressive form of disease characterized by poor quality of life and increased risk of operative intervention. Many approaches have been used over the years in the evaluation and management of these patients. This includes EUA (exam under anesthesia), MRI, and CT scanning. Rectal endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is now an accepted and effective modality for evaluation of complex perianal disease. It allows a minimally invasive, safe means of not only identifying perianal involvement, but aids in the ongoing evaluation of patients with indwelling setons or drains. This case series illustrates how EUS is being used in conjunction with surgical and other imaging modalities to enhance the care of these patients.Endoscopic methodsThis case series illustrates the use of radial rectal endosonography in the evaluation and management of patients with perianal and fistulizing Crohn's disease.Clinical implicationsThis case series shows the effectiveness of rectal endoscopic ultrasonography in the evaluation and management of patients with fistulizing Crohn's disease. Rectal EUS provides an alternative to CT scan and MRI and is less costly and invasive than exam under anesthesia (EUA) for patients requiring serial evaluations of their disease. EUS can allow physicians to make informed decisions about the need for operative interventions and can assess healing in those patients with setons or indwelling drains. BackgroundPerianal Crohn's represents an aggressive form of disease characterized by poor quality of life and increased risk of operative intervention. Many approaches have been used over the years in the evaluation and management of these patients. This includes EUA (exam under anesthesia), MRI, and CT scanning. Rectal endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is now an accepted and effective modality for evaluation of complex perianal disease. It allows a minimally invasive, safe means of not only identifying perianal involvement, but aids in the ongoing evaluation of patients with indwelling setons or drains. This case series illustrates how EUS is being used in conjunction with surgical and other imaging modalities to enhance the care of these patients. Perianal Crohn's represents an aggressive form of disease characterized by poor quality of life and increased risk of operative intervention. Many approaches have been used over the years in the evaluation and management of these patients. This includes EUA (exam under anesthesia), MRI, and CT scanning. Rectal endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is now an accepted and effective modality for evaluation of complex perianal disease. It allows a minimally invasive, safe means of not only identifying perianal involvement, but aids in the ongoing evaluation of patients with indwelling setons or drains. This case series illustrates how EUS is being used in conjunction with surgical and other imaging modalities to enhance the care of these patients. Endoscopic methodsThis case series illustrates the use of radial rectal endosonography in the evaluation and management of patients with perianal and fistulizing Crohn's disease. This case series illustrates the use of radial rectal endosonography in the evaluation and management of patients with perianal and fistulizing Crohn's disease. Clinical implicationsThis case series shows the effectiveness of rectal endoscopic ultrasonography in the evaluation and management of patients with fistulizing Crohn's disease. Rectal EUS provides an alternative to CT scan and MRI and is less costly and invasive than exam under anesthesia (EUA) for patients requiring serial evaluations of their disease. EUS can allow physicians to make informed decisions about the need for operative interventions and can assess healing in those patients with setons or indwelling drains. This case series shows the effectiveness of rectal endoscopic ultrasonography in the evaluation and management of patients with fistulizing Crohn's disease. Rectal EUS provides an alternative to CT scan and MRI and is less costly and invasive than exam under anesthesia (EUA) for patients requiring serial evaluations of their disease. EUS can allow physicians to make informed decisions about the need for operative interventions and can assess healing in those patients with setons or indwelling drains.