Perianal Lesions Research Articles

Management of patients with Crohn's disease – from history to modern approaches

Since the isolation of Crohn's disease as a separate pathology, significant progress has been made both in the diagnosis of the disease and in approaches to the treatment of patients with this pathology. The active introduction of biologics and the top-down approach into clinical practice in patients with negative prognosis factors has led to a significant improvement in treatment results and prognosis in patients. The use of the most effective anti-inflammatory therapy during the «therapeutic window of opportunity» – up to 18 months – is the key to achieving remission, or minimal activity of Crohn's disease by suppressing inflammation and preventing irreversible structural damage to the intestinal wall and, as a result, the development of complications. The article presents an excursion into the history of the discovery of this disease, which is still far from its completion. The approaches to the treatment of patients with this pathology are highlighted with an explanation of the current position based on data from meta-analyses and systematic reviews. A demonstration of a patient with a penetrating phenotype of Crohn's disease in the form of a perianal lesion and a history of oncopathology is presented. Ustekinumab therapy can be considered as an optimal management strategy for patients with Crohn's disease with unfavorable prognosis factors.

Is the identification of caseating granuloma in the intestine indicative of tuberculosis? a rare case of Crohn’s disease

BackgroundCrohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic intestinal inflammatory disorder, the etiology of which remains unknown, and is characterized by symptoms such as chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, obstruction, and perianal lesions. Histopathology is widely regarded as the preferred method for diagnosing CD, although the histological diagnosis may lack specificity. The identification of granulomas is commonly believed to be the most reliable diagnostic indicator for CD, surpassing all other clinical features in significance. Nevertheless, research indicates that the detection rate of granulomas in CD exhibits considerable variability. Furthermore, granulomas can manifest in various specific infections including tuberculosis and Yersinia, as well as in a range of diseases characterized by macrophage reactions such as sarcoidosis and drug-induced enteritis. Granulomas associated with CD typically do not exhibit necrosis. However, the formation of caseous granulomas may occur as a result of secondary infections related to anti-CD drug treatment or perforation of the intestinal wall.Case presentationIn this study, we present a case of a 28-year-old female patient diagnosed with CD exhibiting histologic granulomas, including both caseating and non-caseating forms, which demonstrated a positive response to medical treatment.ConclusionIn clinical practice, various forms of granulomas may indicate diverse underlying diseases, yet lack specificity. It is suggested that the presence of caseous granulomas should not be considered as a definitive exclusion criterion for the diagnosis when clinical, endoscopic, imaging and other histopathological features are consistent with CD. This study is the first report of caseous granulomas in CD without concomitant tuberculosis infection.

Anogenital Lesions in Children: A Critical Alert for Pediatricians.

A 7-y-old girl presented to the pediatric department with a two-week history of a skin lesion in the anogenital region. She appeared well-nourished, quiet, afebrile; vitals and her systemic examination was normal. Examination revealed a greyish white wart-like perianal lesion, unusual for her age. Further history revealed the child had become withdrawn, avoiding play recently, and had oral and vaginal ulcers a month earlier without treatment. These findings raised suspicion of sexual abuse. Investigations confirmed positive VDRL (1:64 titres), positive TPHA, and negative results for her parents' TPHA and HIV. A medicolegal case was registered, involving child welfare services and police. A psychiatrist diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder and recommended counselling. Treatment with a single dose of intramuscular Benzathine penicillin led to improvement, with VDRL titres decreasing to 1:8 and complete resolution of the lesion after 3 months. Pediatricians are pivotal in identifying and managing child sexual abuse cases promptly.

Perianal Mucinous Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report and a Systematic Review of the Literature.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of anus is an uncommon neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract. In most of the cases, early diagnosis of this disease is difficult since its symptoms frequently mimic benign inflammatory conditions. A systematic PubMed and Scopus search was conducted, a propos of a case report. One hundred fifty patients from 93 case reports were included. The mean age of the patients was 60.5years (range: 18-81). The majority of them were males (124 out of 150, 82.7%), while the main known risk factor was the history of chronic fistula (109 out of 150, 72.7%). Recurrent perianal sepsis and perianal pain were the principal symptoms at the time of presentation. No symptoms have been reported only in three patients (3 out of 150, 2%). Regarding the prior surgical history of the patients, multiple abscess drainage and perianal fistula's related interventions were present in 62 (41.3%) and 19 (12.7%) patients, respectively. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was administered in 53 out of 150 patients (35.3%), while the majority of them have been treated with combined treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. APR and its variations were the most applied surgical treatment (68%). Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy was administered almost up to one-third of the included patients (34%). Recurrence of the disease was reported in 41 out of 150 patients (27.3%). Death was reported in 44 out of 150 patients (29.3%). Review of the available published literature suggests that perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma is an extremely rare neoplasia. Τhere is no consensus as far as the diagnosis and the treatment strategies, due to the rarity of this neoplasm. High degree of clinical suspicion as well as histopathological confirmation is the principal requisites for the diagnosis of mucinous adenocarcinoma, especially in the ground of chronic ulcero-proliferative perianal lesions.

Association of Crohn’s Disease and Hepatic Cirrhosis Post-Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A Case Report

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a distinct entity associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We report the case of a 49-year-old patient with ileocecal Crohn’s disease of the stenosing phenotype, presenting with perianal lesions in the form of fistulas, who was diagnosed with PSC complicated by hepatic cirrhosis following the development of clinical and biological cholestasis, as well as his first ascitic decompensation. After initiating treatment with azathioprine for Crohn's, he experienced significant abdominal pain, ascites, and jaundice, leading to further investigations. MRI revealed bile duct stenosis, and endoscopic procedures confirmed portal hypertension. After excluding secondary causes, a diagnosis of PSC was made. Treatment with methotrexate and ursodeoxycholic acid resulted in clinical improvement. The discussion emphasizes the rare but notable association between Crohn's disease and PSC, outlining diagnostic challenges and management strategies. It highlights the poor prognosis linked to PSC, including risks of cirrhosis and colorectal cancer, with recommendations for regular monitoring and surveillance for dysplasia in patients with both conditions. Overall, the study underscores the need for careful management and ongoing research into effective treatments for this challenging dual diagnosis.

Granulomas without foreign body giant cells in perianal fistula tissue suggest Crohn's disease.

Histopathological characteristics of granulomas in perianal fistula of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) remain unexplored. We aimed to assess the histopathological features of granulomas in perianal fistula in CD. A retrospective analysis was conducted by reviewing the medical and pathological records of 4430 cases who underwent perianal fistulectomy at our hospital between June 2015 and June 2023. The patients were divided into the CD group, tuberculosis (TB), and non-CD group, respectively, based on their final diangosis. The detection rate of granulomas and differential histopathological features were investigated. Among the 4430 patients, granulomas were identified in 41 cases, including 25 had CD, 2 had pulmonary TB, and 14 only exhibiting perianal lesions with no other comorbidities. Additionally, there were altogether 93 CD cases, resulting in a detection rate of granuloma of 26.9%, which was considerably higher than that in the non-CD group (26.9% vs 0.3%, p < 0.001). The majority (85.7%) of the perianal fistula tissues in the non-CD group contained foreign body giant cells, while this was observed in only 1 (4.0%) out of the 25 cases with CD. We proposed that granulomas in the perianal fistula in the non-CD group were mostly foreign body granulomas. Moreover, granulomas in the non-CD group were larger than that of the CD group (1135 μm vs 519 μm, p < 0.001). Most CD cases have less granulomas (≤3) and no foreign body giant cells. Ribbon-like granulomas can be seen only in CD cases.

Fate of ileorectal anastomosis for treating Crohn's disease in the era of biologics: Results from a French retrospective multicentre cohort study.

The rate of surgical recurrence following ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) remains poorly understood. Most studies were conducted before the advent of biologics. Our aim was to assess the fate of IRA in patients with CD during the biologics era and identify risk factors for endoscopic, clinical, and surgical recurrence. This retrospective multicentre cohort study included patients with CD who underwent IRA between 2006 and 2022. The association of patient characteristics and postoperative measures with each type of postoperative recurrence and need for a definitive stoma was investigated using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. During a median follow-up period of 60 months, the rates of endoscopic, clinical, and surgical postoperative recurrence were 70%, 59%, and 35%, respectively. The rate of perianal lesions was higher in patients who underwent a definitive stoma (70% vs. 35%, p = 0.007) and with endoscopic (50% vs. 25%, p = 0.038), clinical (54% vs. 24%, p = 0.006), and surgical (63% vs. 34%, p = 0.015) recurrence. The incidence of residual microscopic disease at the rectal margin was higher in patients with endoscopic recurrence (p = 0.047). Biologics were identified as protective factors against the need for a definitive stoma (p = 0.044). IRA is a good treatment option for extensive colitis in patients with CD. However, its consideration should be weighed in the presence of perianal lesions, which have been shown to be a risk factor for delayed proctectomy.

Differentiating clinical characteristics of perianal inflammatory bowel disease from perianal hidradenitis suppurativa

AbstractBackgroundPerianal draining tunnels in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and perianal fistulizing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) present diagnostic and management dilemmas.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with perianal disease evaluated at Mayo Clinic from January 1, 1998, through July 31, 2021. Patients' demographic and clinical data were extracted, and 28 clinical features were collected. After experimenting with several machine learning techniques, random forests were used to select the 15 most important clinical features to construct the diagnostic prediction model to distinguish perianal HS from fistulizing perianal IBD.ResultsA total of 263 patients were included (98 with HS, 100 with IBD, and 65 with both IBD and HS). Patients with HS had a higher mean body mass index, a higher smoking rate, and more commonly showed cutaneous manifestations of tunnels and comedones, while fistulas, abscesses, induration, anal tags, ulcers, and anal fissures were more common in patients with IBD. In addition to having lesions in the perianal area, patients with IBD often had lesions in the buttocks and perineum, while those with HS had additional lesions in the axillae and groin. Among the statistically significant features, the 15 most important were identified by random forest: fistula, tunnel, digestive symptom, knife‐cut ulcer, perineum, body mass index, age, axilla, abscess, tags, smoking, groin, genital cutaneous edema, erythema, and bilateral/unilateral.ConclusionsThe results of this study may help differentiate perianal lesions, especially perineal HS and fistulizing perineal IBD, and provide promise for a better therapeutic outcome.

EP165 - It is not just a perianal wart! A rare case of perianal lesion

Abstract Perianal skin lesion is a common presentation with a wide range of differentials, including thrombosed external haemorrhoids, perianal abscess, perianal warts, lipoma and sebaceous cysts. Malignant lesions such as squamous cell carcinoma are uncommon but should be considered. Hereby, we present a diagnostically challenging case of a benign looking perianal lesion that ultimately revealed a rare condition. A 50-year old lady presented with a one-year history of perianal lump accompanied with intermittent pain, fresh bleeding and pus-like discharge. A digital rectal examination revealed a well-demarcated 4mm fleshy skin lesion, 2cm from anal verge at 7 o’clock position without surrounding area of inflammation. No lymph nodes were palpable on both groins. Differentials as mentioned above including an infected granuloma and fistula in-ano were considered. Pelvic MRI revealed a well-demarcated, benign-looking subcutaneous lesion. The lesion was excised under general anaesthesia and interestingly, the histopathology report revealed a diagnosis of Hidradenoma Papilliferum (HP) with no dysplasia or malignancy. Patient recovered well, reassured with the above findings and discharged home. HP is an uncommon, benign tumour that occurs in the anogenital region. It is more prevalent in Caucasian middle-aged females, as illustrated in our case. A definite diagnosis necessitates histopathological examination. The management includes a local excision of the lesion, and it is associated with good prognosis, with low chances of recurrence or malignant transformation. HP, although rare, should be included in the differentials of a perianal lump. A surgical excision or diagnostic biopsy should be performed at minimum.

Advancements in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Management: From Traditional Treatments to Monoclonal Antibodies and Future Drug Delivery Systems.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory disorder with two main subtypes: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The pathogenesis involves genetic predisposition, dysbiosis, and immune dysregulation. Complications include perianal lesions, strictures, fistulas, perforations, and an increased risk of colon cancer. Clinical classification ranges from mild to fulminant and recurrent disease, with common symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and weight loss. Extraintestinal manifestations include arthritis, erythema nodosum, pyoderma gangrenosum, and uveitis. Conventional treatments using aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators have limitations. Biologics, introduced in the 1990s, offer improved efficacy and specificity, targeting factors like TNF-α, integrins, and cytokines. Monoclonal antibodies play a crucial role in IBD management, aiming to reduce relapses, hospitalizations, and surgeries. In conclusion, this review is aimed at summarizing the latest knowledge, advantages, and drawbacks of IBD therapies, such as small molecules, biologics, and monoclonal antibodies, to provide a basis for further research in the IBD field.

Cancer and hidradenitis suppurativa

Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have an increased risk of developing cancer. This includes not only hematologic malignancies and solid tumors but also cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) originating within the HS lesions. The development of SCC is most commonly associated with Caucasian men who smoke and have severe gluteal or perianal lesions of more than 25 years. Other factors that have occasionally been associated with HS-related SCC include treatment with a tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor (such as infliximab and adalimumab), genodermatoses (such as keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome and Dowling-Degos disease), and paraneoplastic syndromes (such as hypercalcemia, hypercalcemia-leukocytosis, and paraneoplastic neuropathy). The tumor may demonstrate the presence of human papillomavirus; even after treatment, patients have a poor prognosis because cancer metastasis, recurrence, or both commonly occur. The potential role of human papillomavirus vaccination for cancer prevention and early treatment of SCC with targeted therapy (with an epidermal growth factor inhibitor such as cetuximab) and/or checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy (such as cemiplimab and pembrolizumab) remains to be determined. Rarely, HS lesions have mimicked cutaneous metastases in patients with visceral malignancy by demonstrating an increased uptake of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose on positron emission tomography and/or computed tomography scans. Primary cancers (such as cutaneous SCC and mucinous adenocarcinoma) and breast cancer skin metastases can masquerade as HS lesions. When a lesion is located at a current or earlier site of HS that is new or rapidly growing and/or does not respond to HS-directed therapy, prompt evaluation to establish or exclude the diagnosis of cancer should be considered.

Perianal fistulizing lesions of Crohn's disease are associated with long-term behavior and its transition: a Chinese cohort study.

Crohn's disease (CD) has a progressive nature and commonly perianal involvement. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence, surgical treatment, and outcome of perianal fistulizing CD with associated risk factors in a large Chinese cohort. Hospitalized patients diagnosed with CD in our center were consecutively enrolled between January 2000 and December 2018. Transition of disease behavior was classified according to the presence or absence of penetrating behavior (B3 in the Montreal classification) at diagnosis and at a median follow-up of 102 months. A total of 504 patients were included, of whom 207 (41.1%) were classified as B3 and 348 (69.0%) as L2/3 at follow-up. Transition of behavior to B3 was observed in 86 patients (17.1%). The incidence of perianal fistulizing lesions was 10.9% at 10 years with a final prevalence of 27.0% (n = 136) at the end of follow-up. Multivariate Cox regression identified independent risks of perianal fistulizing lesions for persistent B3 (hazard ratio, 4.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.91-11.66) and behavior transition of progressed to B3 (hazard ratio, 9.90; 95% confidence interval, 4.60-21.33). Perianal surgical treatments were performed in 104 patients (20.6%). Thirty-six cases (7.1%) were refractory, and it is independently associated with behavior of persistent B3 (P= 0.011). Perianal fistulizing lesions occurred frequently in Chinese CD patients. Its incidence and refractory outcome were closely associated with the penetrating CD behavior. An additional risk of perianal fistulizing lesions was indicated for CD patients with behavior of progressing to B3, suggesting further attention.

Manifestasi Klinis Infeksi Mpox pada Penderita HIV: Sebuah Telaah Sistematik dan Meta-Analisis

Introduction. Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by the mpox virus. Sexual intercourse is the biggest cause of mpox transmission. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a viral infection that is also transmitted mostly through sexual routes. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to understand the clinical picture of mpox in relation to HIV infection. Methods. This meta-analysis followed MOOSE (Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. A systematic search for relevant studies was carried out using the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases covering the period 1 January 2022 to 31 May 2024. The keywords used were “Clinical feature” or “Clinical Manifestation” and “MPOX” or Monkey pox and “HIV”. Results. There were 8 studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for meta-analysis. Eight studies were identified with a total of 2,392 patients with and without HIV. In this meta-analysis, an analysis of each clinical manifestation appearing in patients was conducted, resulting in statistically significant findings, including lymphadenopathy (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.82-0.96), perianal lesions (RR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.01-1.37), proctitis (RR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.37-2.35), rectal pain (RR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.16-1.52), rectal bleeding (RR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.16-1.52), and tenesmus (RR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.34-1.99). Conclusions. Enlarged lymph nodes, perianal lesions, proctitis, rectal pain, rectal bleeding, and tenesmus are the dominant clinical manifestations in mpox patients accompanied by HIV infection.

The role of proactive therapeutic drug monitoring in guiding infliximab therapeutic optimization in pediatric patients with Crohn's disease: A retrospective study

AbstractTherapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) plays an important role in guiding treatment plan adjustments and clinical outcomes in Crohn's disease. To evaluate the role of TDM‐guided optimization of infliximab dosage in patients with pediatric Crohn's disease. Medical records of patients with pediatric Crohn's disease who were treated with infliximab and had proactive TDM from June 2020 to June 2022 at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were included. Baseline influencing factors for infliximab trough concentration (TC) and clinical outcomes before and after the treatment change were analyzed to assess the value of adjusting treatment in the patients. Forty‐six patients (male‐to‐female ratio = 1.55:1, age &lt;18 years) were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that hormone exposure (odds ratio: 0.042, 95% confidence interval: 0.002–0.924, p = 0.044), perianal lesions (5.813, 0.984–34.349, p = 0.052), simplified endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (1.656, 1.065–2.577, p = 0.025), and total protein (TP) (0.851, 0.749–0.967, p = 0.014) were correlated with infliximab TC. Shortening the treatment interval increased the infliximab TC (pre vs. post = 1.69 ± 0.8 vs. 12.03 ± 6.64, p = 0.001, n = 12) after 93.9 ± 37.47 days, decreased the pediatric Crohn's disease activity index and simplified endoscopic score for Crohn's disease, and increased the biochemical remission, clinical remission, endoscopic remission, and endoscopic response rates; however, there was no statistical significance. Hormone exposure, perianal lesions, simplified endoscopic score for Crohn's disease, and TP levels before the first infliximab use affected the infliximab TC. Shortening the treatment interval can improve infliximab TC levels and clinical outcomes.

Long-Term Monitoring and Clinical Implications of Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy in Patients with Crohn’s Disease with Small Bowel Lesions: A Retrospective Analysis

Introduction: Crohn’s disease (CD) induces persistent inflammation throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, potentially resulting in complications such as intestinal stenosis and fistulas, particularly in the small bowel. Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is recommended for monitoring CD, especially when GI tract patency is maintained. This study aimed to retrospectively assess patients with CD who underwent SBCE to determine the timing of clinical changes and address the current lack of evidence regarding GI tract patency loss during CD treatment. Methods: Of the 166 consecutive patients who underwent SBCE at our institution, 120 were followed up and included in this study. Forty-six patients were excluded due to colitis type or immediate treatment changes post-SBCE. This study focused on the primary and secondary endpoints, including the cumulative stricture-free rate of the GI tract, emergency hospitalization post-SBCE, and post-SBCE treatment strategies, at the discretion of the attending physicians. Results: Demographic data revealed that the mean age of the study population was 43 years and that there was a male predominance (75%). The median disease duration was 12 years and the mean Crohn’s Disease Activity Index was 98. During a 1,486-day observation period, 37% of patients experienced treatment changes. A Lewis score of >264 and perianal lesions were identified as independent risk factors for additional treatment needs. Emergency hospitalization occurred in 6% of patients and GI patency failure in 11%. Female sex and Lewis score>264 were associated with higher risks. GI patency rate declined 2 years after SBCE. Conclusions: For patients who experienced no treatment changes based on SBCE results, it is recommended to undergo SBCE monitoring at intervals of no longer than 2 years.

Perianal Paget's Disease Metachronically Associated with Adenocarcinoma

Abstract Introduction This article describes an unusual case of perianal Paget's Disease in a 42-year-old man, highlighting distinct characteristics about more typical cases. Case report 42-year-old male patient with persistent perianal lesion, recurrent abscesses, and discomfort. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated a possible fistulous path. Biopsy revealed secondary anal Paget's disease and adenocarcinoma. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment demonstrated a positive response. Discussion Perianal Paget's Disease is a rare condition of the anal canal that is part of the Extramammary Paget's Disease (EMPD) group. Symptoms include itching, pain, perianal bleeding, and skin lesions. Diagnosis can be challenging and usually involves performing a histopathological biopsy associated with an immunohistochemical study. Treatment varies and may involve surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Due to the rarity of the disease, the best therapeutic approach is not yet well defined, and follow-up is essential due to the risk of recurrence. Conclusion Perianal Paget's Disease is rare and requires differentiation from other conditions. Early detection is essential to prevent malignancy.

Rhabdomyomatous Mesenchymal Hamartoma: Report of 4 Cases With Histochemical and Immunohistochemical Findings and Emphasis on Potential Pitfalls.

Rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartoma (RMH) typically presents as a congenital midline head and neck cutaneous polyp in infants. Perianal and mucocutaneous lesions have been reported, and recently, acquired adult-onset variants have been proposed. This makes the true prevalence, etiopathogenesis, and clinicopathologic distribution and classification of RMHs in children compared with those in adults uncertain. We performed a retrospective review to highlight the salient histopathologic, histochemical, and immunohistochemical features in RMHs and to emphasize their specific clinicopathologic criteria to avoid diagnostic pitfalls. We found 4 (0.3%) infants [2 female infants and 2 male infants, average age: 4 months] with mental, nasal, lingual, and perianal midline RMHs (average size: 1.0 cm) of 1303 patients with cutaneous polypoid lesions. Three were isolated, and 1 was associated with Goldenhar syndrome. The cutaneous polyps demonstrated intermixed skeletal muscle, adipose, and fibrocollagenous core stroma that extended into the dermis and around the dermal appendages. The lingual lesion demonstrated skeletal muscle and fibrocollagenous stroma with prominent nerve bundles and little adipose tissue. All showed interstitial loose mesenchyme. Masson trichome demarcated the triphasic stromal components. Alcian blue demonstrated the loose myxoid mesenchyme. Elastic van Gieson did not show elastic fibers. Desmin demonstrated the skeletal muscle bundles, S100 highlighted the adipose tissue lobules and the nerve bundles, and CD34 displayed the mesenchymal stroma. Ki67 showed a low proliferation index in the loose mesenchyme. Smooth muscle actin did not reveal smooth muscle bundles, but with CD31, they highlighted the thick blood vessels. CD117 revealed prominent mast cells. From our retrospective review series, 4 cases that originally diagnosed as RMHs were excluded. Likewise, we found some examples of the reported cases in the English literature that might have been mistaken for RMHs. This is because they did not fulfill the diagnostic clinicopathologic criteria. RMH constitutes a rare entity with specific clinicopathologic features. Most lesions are isolated. Some are associated with congenital anomalies and syndromes. Strict clinicopathologic diagnostic criteria should be applied to avoid mislabeling look-alike lesions for RMHs.

Leukocyte dysfunction and reduced CTLA-4 expression are associated with perianal Crohn's disease.

Although perianal Crohn's disease (PCD) is highly associated with the exacerbated inflammation, the molecular basis and immunological signature that distinguish patients who present a history of perianal lesions are still unclear. This paper aims to define immunological characteristics related to PCD. In this cross-sectional observational study, we enrolled 20 healthy controls and 39 CD patients. Blood samples were obtained for the detection of plasma cytokines and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were phenotyped by flow cytometry. Leukocytes were stimulated with LPS or anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies. Our results show that CD patients had augmented plasma interleukin (IL)-6 and LPS. However, their PBMC was characterized by decreased IL-6 production, while patients with a history of PCD produced higher IL-6, IL-8, and interferon-γ, along with decreased tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF). CD patients had augmented FoxP3 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) regulatory markers, though the PCD subjects presented a significant reduction in CTLA-4 expression. CTLA-4 as well as IL-6 and TNF responses were able to distinguish the PCD patients from those who did not present perianal complications. In conclusion, IL-6, TNF, and CTLA-4 exhibit a distinct expression pattern in CD patients with a history of PCD, regardless of disease activity. These findings clarify some mechanisms involved in the development of the perianal manifestations and may have a great impact on the disease management.

Clinical Importance of Evaluating the Results of Excused Perianal Lesions

BACKGROUND: Perianal and anal region lesions are mostly benign, typically polypoid formations seen adjacent and distal to the anal canal. Fibroepithelial anal polyps are benign lesions commonly found in the perianal region, composed of squamous epithelium and subepithelial connective tissue. Despite their benign nature, excision may be necessary in cases where they cause pain, progressively increase in size, or give rise to suspicion of an infectious or malignant disease, as well as during treatment for accompanying perianal conditions. Follow-up of the pathology results for all removed lesions is important, as the patient’s follow-up and treatment process may vary based on the pathology results. Based on this perspective, patients who underwent excision of perianal lesions during surgery for a preliminary diagnosis of benign anorectal diseases were retrospectively evaluated in our clinic. The importance of the excision and pathological examination of these lesions was discussed based on the results. AIM: The study retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent surgery for anal fistula, anal fissure, or palpable lesions in the anal or perianal area and had accompanying lesions that were pre-diagnosed as sentinel tags excised. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients who underwent surgery due to anal, perianal lesions, anal fistula, or anal fissures in the general surgery clinic were retrospectively evaluated between January 2017 and February 2022. Their medical history, surgical notes, and pathology results were reviewed. Patients who underwent excision of lesions from the perianal and anal regions were evaluated. The age, gender, pathology results, pre-operative diagnoses, number and size of polyps, and the presence of concomitant hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and fistulas were recorded. The Number Cruncher Statistical System (NCSS) 2020 Statistical Software (NCSS LLC, Kaysville, Utah, USA) program was used for statistical analysis for the evaluation of the findings obtained in the study. RESULTS: A total of 49 patients were evaluated. Three patients were excluded from the study as their pathology results were not recorded, even though a lesion excision was mentioned in their surgical notes. One patient who underwent surgery for an incisional biopsy was also evaluated separately. Of the patients, 20 were female and 25 were male. The average age of the patients was 41 (ranging from 21 to 86 years old). The average diameter of the excised polypoid lesions was 1.29 cm. When the final pathology results of the cases were reviewed, it was found that 37.8% (n = 17) had anal condyloma, 35.6% (n = 16) had fibroepithelial polyp, 8.9% (n = 4) had pyogenic granuloma, 4.4% (n = 2) had hemorrhoid, 4.4% (n = 2) had inflammatory polyp, 2.2% (n = 1) had multiple squamous papilloma, 2.2% (n = 1) had basal cell carcinoma, 2.2% (n = 1) had hypertrophic anal papilla, and 2.2% (n = 1) had pilonidal sinus. One notable result was that, despite the pre-operative diagnosis not being malignant, one patient had a pathology result of basal cell carcinoma. In addition, it is important to note that low-grade dysplasia was also detected in a patient with anal condyloma. CONCLUSION: While perianal and anal lesions are generally benign, it is noteworthy that malignant cases can still occur, although rarely. Therefore, it is important to subject every excised perianal and anal lesion to pathological evaluation, as it is crucial for the proper follow-up and treatment of patients.

Mpox Case Presenting With Genital Lesions and Proctitis.

Monkeypox (Mpox) is a zoonotic Orthopoxvirus of the Poxviridae family, endemic to Africa. In August 2022, the US government declared it an emergency because of the worldwide spread. Traditionally, Mpox infection spreads through contact with infected animals. However, the 2022 outbreak Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data note that 94% of cases had recent male-to-male sexual or close intimate contact, suggesting a novel sexual transmission. In this article, we report a 39-year-old HIV-positive man presenting with a diffuse cutaneous rash, perianal pain, and bloody stool of 2-week duration. A medical history includes intravenous drug use and multiple sexual partners. Physical examination revealed umbilicated, tan-colored, crusted cutaneous papules scattered across the face, trunk, and genital regions. Perianal lesion biopsy showed an acanthotic epidermis with spongiosis, ballooning degeneration of keratinocytes, and the formation of multinucleated syncytial keratinocytes. A dermal superficial/lichenoid mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate with multinucleated giant cells was noted. Perianal lesion polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive for Mpox. Colonoscopy revealed a 3-cm circumferential rectal ulcer with gray exudate and necrosis. A rectal ulcer biopsy showed an ulcerated mucosa with acute proctitis and necrosis. There were scattered macrophages with intranuclear inclusion and glassy vacuolization, and Mpox infection was confirmed by immunostaining with a Mpox-specific anti-Vaccinia virus antibody.