Fissure Patients Research Articles

Avaliação da fenda palpebral após aplicação de toxina botulínica tipo A em pacientes com distonias faciais

PURPOSE: To evaluate the measurement of palpebral fissure in patients with facial dystonias before and after periocular injection with botulinum toxin type A. METHODS: We studied patients with benign essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm underwent periocular injection of botulinum toxin type A by the inner orbital technique of application. Patients were photographed 14 days before and after application. The palpebral fissure was measured in these images by means of computerized image processing using the program ImageJ. The palpebral fissure changes [...]

Factors associated with deep foot fissures in diabetic patients: A cross-sectional observational study

BackgroundFoot ulcers can develop from fissures in patients with diabetes. It is generally considered that fissures can develop with dry skin due to decreased perspiration associated with autonomic neuropathy. Especially, deep fissures that extend into the dermis may have a higher risk of ulceration than superficial fissures because of damage of skin barrier function. However, distinctions between superficial and deep fissures have not been well described, and specific factors involved in their development are generally unknown. ObjectiveTo investigate factors associated with the superficial and deep foot fissures in patients with diabetes. Design and methodsThis cross-sectional observational study involved 578 patients with diabetes evaluated at a university hospital between September 2007 and March 2008. Patients with foot ulcers or foot defects due to amputation were excluded. Superficial fissures were defined as narrow skin cracks limited to the epidermis. Deep fissures were defined as narrow, deep, linear skin cracks extending to the dermis, possibly with higher ulceration risk than superficial fissures. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze factors associated with the depth (superficial or deep) of foot fissures. ResultsThe prevalence of superficial fissures was 9.0%, and that of deep fissures was 3.8%. Presence of superficial fissures was correlated with autonomic neuropathy (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.20–4.59, p=0.012). Notably, presence of deep fissures was correlated with autonomic neuropathy and angiopathy (OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.11–7.48, p=0.030; and OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.30–8.35, p=0.012, respectively). ConclusionsOur new finding of a correlation between deep fissures and angiopathy suggests that control of blood supply should be effective for preventing deep fissures prone to ulceration. In the future, elucidation of the mechanism of the angiopathy-induced deep fissures will be needed to promote more effective preventive care of fissures.

Sacral Nerve Stimulation: A Novel Treatment of Chronic Anal Fissure

The purpose of this pilot study of 5 patients was to test the feasibility of a new treatment approach for chronic anal fissure utilizing minimally invasive sacral nerve stimulation before designing and conducting a larger prospective controlled study. The patients underwent uneventful placement of one temporary 8-electrode Octad lead for sacral nerve root stimulation. Stimulation was conducted for 20 minutes 3 times per day. The lead was removed after 3 weeks of stimulation. The patients experienced an immediate improvement in perineal pain after the initiation of sacral nerve stimulation. The pain relief effect lasted 10 to 12 hours, so stimulation was conducted for short episodes to ensure patient comfort and to extend the battery life of the external neurostimulator. For all patients, the chronic anal fissure healed by the end of the third week of temporary sacral nerve stimulation. There was no recurrence of anal fissure 1 year after treatment in all of the study participants. Sacral nerve stimulation offers an effective alternative treatment option for chronic anal fissure in patients who chose not to pursue more invasive surgical interventions.

Usefulness of manometry to select patients with anal fissure for controlled anal dilatation

To evaluate the use of anorectal manometry to select patients for controlled anal dilatation. A prospective study was performed using anorectal manometry on all patients with chronic anal fissure who did not have a good response to conservative treatment. Those with increased anal resting pressure were treated with controlled anal dilatation using a two valved anuscope. A second anorectal manometry was indicated after controlled anal dilatation. 19 patients without anorectal pathology (Healthy Control Group) and 57 patients with chronic anal fissure were included in this study. Controlled anal dilatation was performed on 27 patients, maximum resting pressure 122 ± 19 mmHg. In the controlled anal dilatation group the healing rate was 92.5%, mean maximum resting pressure post-controlled anal dilatation was 91 ± 30 mmHg. We found one case of transitory anal incontinence (3.7%). None of the patients had anal incontinence at 18 months of the follow-up. In the remaining 30 patients non selected for controlled anal dilatation (chronic anal fissure control group), a proportion of 53.3% recurrences were registered after conservative treatment. Anal healing of chronic anal fissure and a significant decrease in maximum resting pressure recorded by manometry confirms the success of this procedure. The manometric evaluation of the maximum resting pressure is useful in the selection of chronic anal fissure patients for controlled anal dilatation. The efficacy of dilatation to treat chronic anal fissure in patients with raised anal sphincter pressure was high and complications were rare.

Glyceryl trinitrate: The management of chronic anal fissure in patients who are unfit for surgery

Keywords: Anal fissure; Glyceryl trinitrate; Sphincterotomy; SurgeryOnline: 29-1-2009DOI: 10.3329/bmrcb.v34i3.1648Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2008; 34: 111-111

Anterior anal fissures are associated with occult sphincter injury and abnormal sphincter function

The pathogenesis of chronic anal fissure (CAF) remains incompletely understood but most are associated with a high resting anal pressure and reduced perfusion at the fissure site. To date, no major distinction has been made between anterior and posterior anal fissures and their aetiology and treatment. We compared anterior and posterior fissures in patients who have failed to respond to medical treatment with respect to their underlying aetiology, anal canal pressures and sphincter muscle integrity. Seventy consecutive patients (54 female:16 male) with a symptomatic CAF and 39 normal controls (19 female:20 male) without evidence of significant ano-rectal pathology were prospectively assessed by manometry and anal endosonography. Anterior anal fissures were identified in a younger age group [33 years (IQR 26-37) vs 41 years (IQR 36-52)] and predominantly in women. Anterior fissure patients were significantly more likely to have underlying external anal sphincter defects compared with posterior fissures [OR 10.9 (95% CI 3.4-35.4)]. Maximum resting pressure was not significantly elevated for anterior fissures compared with controls (P = 0.316) but was significantly elevated in posterior fissures (P = 0.005). The maximum squeeze pressure was significantly lower in the anterior fissure group [167 cmH2O (IQR 126-196) vs 205 cmH2O (IQR 174-262), P = 0.004]. A history of obstetric trauma was significantly associated with anterior fissure location [OR 13.9 (95% CI 3.4-55.7)]. Anterior anal fissures are associated with occult external anal sphincter injury and impaired external anal sphincter function compared with posterior fissures. These findings have implications for treatment, especially if a definitive procedure, such as lateral internal sphincterotomy, is considered.

Blurring of the vessels of the interhemispheric fissure in multislice CT angiography: a sign of meningeal carcinomatosis.

Meningeal carcinomatosis remains a challenging diagnosis to make, with both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and radiological methods having a limited sensitivity. We aimed at describing a possible diagnostic sign of multislice CT angiography (MS-CTA) in the diagnosis of meningeal carcinomatosis. Upon retrospective analysis of MSCT angiographies of the brain, a conspicuous sign of the vessels of the interhemispheric fissure was noted in five patients. Cranial MSCT angiographies were performed with a standardized protocol (120 kV, 200 mA s, collimation of 4x1 mm, table feed per rotation 4 mm). We injected 120 ml of nonionic contrast medium as a bolus, and data acquisition was started after a fixed delay of 35 s. In order to elucidate the finding, correlation with clinical follow-up and/or CSF findings was performed for all patients. In five patients there was a blurring, an increased number, and a pathologic configuration of the vessels of the interhemispheric fissure. All five patients with this sign had clinical signs and symptoms of meningeal carcinomatosis. Three patients had positive CSF cytology, one further patient had follow-up spinal MRI 6 weeks later demonstrating meningeal carcinomatosis. One patient declined lumbar puncture. MS-CTA has the capacity to demonstrate a pathologic configuration of the vessels of the interhemispheric fissure in patients with meningeal carcinomatosis. This sign may serve as an indicator of meningeal carcinomatosis and should raise the suspicion of this disease entity.

The role of topical diltiazem in the treatment of chronic anal fissures that have failed glyceryl trinitrate therapy.

The treatment of anal fissures has evolved over the last 5 years with the development of topical treatments aimed at reducing sphincter hypertonia. This is thought to improve anal mucosal blood flow and promote healing of the fissure. This study reports the use of topical diltiazem in patients with chronic anal fissures that have failed previous treatment with topical 0.2% glyceryl trinitrate (GTN). Forty-seven patients with chronic anal fissure who had previously failed at least one course of topical GTN were recruited prospectively from a single centre. Patients were instructed to apply 2 cm (approximately 0.7 g) of 2% diltiazem cream to the anal verge twice daily for eight weeks. Symptoms of pain, bleeding and itching were recorded on a linear analogue score prior to starting the cream and then repeated at 2 weekly intervals. Patients were asked to report side-effects throughout the study period. Healing of the fissure was assessed after 8 weeks of treatment. Forty-six patients completed treatment; of these, 22 had healed fissures (48%). Ten of the 24 patients with persistent fissures were symptomatically improved and wished no further treatment. Of the 14 patients who remained symptomatic, one was given a repeat course of 0.2% glyceryl trinitrate with subsequent healing of the fissure, 10 were recruited into an ongoing study involving injections of botulinum toxin into the internal anal sphincter and three were referred for surgery. This study shows that topical 2% diltiazem is an effective and safe treatment for chronic anal fissure in patients who have failed topical 0.2% GTN. The need for sphincterotomy can be avoided in up to 70% of cases.

A randomised, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of glyceryl trinitrate ointment in treatment of anal fissure

Anal fissure is most commonly treated surgically by internal anal sphincterotomy. However, there is some concern over the effects of this procedure on continence. Nitric oxide donors such as glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) have been shown to cause a reversible chemical sphincterotomy capable of healing fissures in a small series of cases. This study reports a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to test the hypothesis that topical GTN is the best first-line treatment for chronic anal fissure. 80 consecutive patients were randomised to receive treatments with topical 0.2% GTN ointment or placebo. Maximum anal resting pressure (MARP) was measured with a constantly perfused side-hole catheter before and after the first application of trial ointment. Anodermal blood flow was measured during manometry by laser Doppler flowmetry. After initial treatments, patients were given a supply of ointment (either GTN or placebo) to be applied to the lower anal canal twice daily. Patients were reviewed 2-weekly. At the initial and follow up visits patients were asked to record pain experienced on defaecation on a linear analogue pain score. Endpoints were healing of the fissure or condition after 8 weeks of treatment. After 8 weeks, healing was observed in 26/38 (68%) patients treated with GTN and in 3/39 (8%) patients treated with placebo (p < 0.0001, chi 2 test). Linear analogue pain score fell significantly in both groups after 2 weeks of treatment. This fall was maintained in those treated with GTN but pain scores returned to pre-treatment values by 4 weeks on treatment with placebo. MARP fell significantly from a mean of 115.9 (SD 31.6) to 75.9 (30.1) cm H2O (p < 0.001, Student's paired t-test) in patients treated with GTN but no change was seen in MARP after placebo. Anodermal blood flow measured by laser Doppler flowmetry significantly increased after application of GTN ointment but was unaffected by placebo. Topical GTN provides rapid, sustained relief of pain in patients with anal fissure. Over two-thirds of patients treated in this way avoided surgery which would otherwise have been required for healing. Long-term follow up is needed to assess the risk of recurrent fissure in patients with GTN.

Surgery for symptomatic hemorrhoids and anal fissures in Crohn's disease.

This study was undertaken to determine the outcome of surgery for symptomatic hemorrhoids and anal fissures in patients with known Crohn's disease. Seventeen patients underwent surgery for symptomatic hemorrhoids. Fifteen of these 17 patients' wounds healed without complication. Twenty-five patients underwent 27 operations for anal fissures. Twenty-two of these patients had uncomplicated wound healing by two months. Long-term follow-up, which was at a mean of 11.5 years in the hemorrhoid patients and 7.5 years in the fissure patients, revealed that only three patients required proctectomy, none as a direct result of surgery. Patients with severe symptoms secondary to anal fissures and hemorrhoids, who are known to have Crohn's disease and who cannot be controlled with conservative medical management, may undergo surgery on a highly selective basis when the disease is in the quiescent state. Proctectomy is not an inevitable outcome.

Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Three Patients with Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome

Three patients with Tolosa-Hunt syndrome were examined by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CT of the brain did not reveal any definite abnormality in any of the patients. MRI demonstrated an abnormal soft tissue area in the cavernous sinus in only 1 patient. There was clinical improvement after corticosteroid therapy. MRI is mandatory for demonstrating lesions in the cavernous sinus or in the superior orbital fissure in patients with THS.

Loculated Hemopneumothorax of a Major Fissure in Patients with COPD and Associated Pleural Disease

Two patients with underlying COPD and bullous changes of the lungs were found to have a loculated hemopneumothorax within a major fissure by computed tomography. Both patients had associated pleural disease. In one of the patients, the hemopneumothorax was believed to be potentially compromising pulmonary function. Percutaneous needle drainage of the loculated hemopneumothoraces resulted in large symptomatic pneumothoraces requiring urgent insertion of closed thoracostomy tubes. Loculated hemopneumothorax is an unusual finding within a major fissure mimicking pulmonary abscess, infected bullae, pulmonary cyst, or a cavitary carcinoma of the lung. Physicians treating patients with COPD and associated pleural disease should be aware of this rare condition, since percutaneous needle drainage may be associated with serious life-threatening complications.

The Use of Thymoxamine in Eyelid Retraction

We observed substantial narrowing in 75% of fissures in patients with various types of lid retraction after topical application of aqueous 0.5% thymoxamine (moxisylyte). Even contralateral normal-appearing fissures in thyroid patients responded in this manner. The nonresponders in the lid retraction group included a patient with an orbital pseudotumor and patients with long-standing and stable euthyroid eye disease. No normal subjects' fissures responded greatly to thymoxamine. A substantial reduction in palpebral fissures was seen in all patients with thick extraocular muscles and in 14 of 18 (78%) of all fissures of thyroid patients; the average response was 2.3 mm. This effect may last for five hours after thymoxamine administration. Thymoxamine may be of use as a diagnostic test for thyroid eye disease, and if it can be modified to cause less ocular irritation, it may be beneficial in the medical treatment of eyelid retraction.