Anal fistula pathophysiology: Difference between revisions

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==Overview==
==Overview==
[[Anal fistula]] develops from [[infection]] of [[anal]] crypts [[gland]].
[[Anal fistula]] develops from [[infection]] of [[anal]] crypts [[gland]]. The initial [[infection]] occurs in the [[ducts]] of the [[anal glands]] and the spread of infection results in the formation of the [[abscess]].If the [[abscess]] is ruptured, a [[fistula]] is formed. Anal fistulas are associated with following conditions are [[diverticulitis]], foreign-body reactions [[actinomycosis]], [[chlamydia]], [[lymphogranuloma venereum]] (LGV), [[syphilis]], [[tuberculosis]], [[radiation exposure]], [[HIV AIDS|HIV disease]], [[Crohn's disease|Crohn’s disease]], [[Pilonidal abscess|pilonidal]] disease, [[hidradenitis suppurativa]], [[trauma]], previous [[surgery]] (including ileoanal pouch surgery), presacral [[Dermoid cyst|dermoid cysts]], [[sacrococcygeal teratoma]].
==Anatomy==
 
== Pathophysiology ==
 
===Anatomy===
*The [[anal canal]] is a 2 to 4cm in length, starts at the [[anorectal]] junction to the end of [[anal]] verge.<ref name="urlAnatomy and Embryology - Springer">{{cite web |url=http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-1-4419-1584-9_1 |title=Anatomy and Embryology - Springer |format= |work= |accessdate=}}</ref>
*The [[anal canal]] is a 2 to 4cm in length, starts at the [[anorectal]] junction to the end of [[anal]] verge.<ref name="urlAnatomy and Embryology - Springer">{{cite web |url=http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-1-4419-1584-9_1 |title=Anatomy and Embryology - Springer |format= |work= |accessdate=}}</ref>
*It is divided into an upper and a lower part by transition zone that is seen at the dentate line or pectinate line which is surrounded by longitudinal mucosal folds, called columns of Morgagni.<ref name="urlAnatomy and Embryology - Springer">{{cite web |url=http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-1-4419-1584-9_1 |title=Anatomy and Embryology - Springer |format= |work= |accessdate=}}</ref>
*It is divided into an upper and a lower part by transition zone that is seen at the dentate line or [[pectinate line]] which is surrounded by longitudinal mucosal folds, called columns of Morgagni.<ref name="urlAnatomy and Embryology - Springer">{{cite web |url=http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-1-4419-1584-9_1 |title=Anatomy and Embryology - Springer |format= |work= |accessdate=}}</ref>
*Each of this fold contains anal crypts, each of which contains 3 to 12 [[anal glands]], the distribution of these [[glands]] is not uniform with most of the [[glands]] present anterior to the position of the [[anal canal]] and fewer in the [[posterior]] position.
*Each of this fold contains anal crypts, each of which contains 3 to 12 [[anal glands]], the distribution of these [[glands]] is not uniform with most of the [[glands]] present anterior to the position of the [[anal canal]] and fewer in the [[posterior]] position.
==Pathogenesis==
===Pathogenesis===
*[[Anal fistula]] develops from [[infection]] of [[anal]] crypts [[gland]].
There are following steps in the formation of [[anal fistula]]:
There are following steps in the formation of [[anal fistula]]:
* [[Anal fistula]] develops from [[infection]] of [[anal]] crypts [[gland]].
*The initial [[infection]] occurs in the [[ducts]] of the [[anal glands]] and the spread of infection results in the formation of the [[abscess]].<ref name="pmid15740520">{{cite journal| author=Rickard MJ| title=Anal abscesses and fistulas. | journal=ANZ J Surg | year= 2005 | volume= 75 | issue= 1-2 | pages= 64-72 | pmid=15740520 | doi=10.1111/j.1445-2197.2005.03280.x | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=15740520  }} </ref>
*The initial [[infection]] occurs in the [[ducts]] of the [[anal glands]] and the spread of infection results in the formation of the [[abscess]].<ref name="pmid15740520">{{cite journal| author=Rickard MJ| title=Anal abscesses and fistulas. | journal=ANZ J Surg | year= 2005 | volume= 75 | issue= 1-2 | pages= 64-72 | pmid=15740520 | doi=10.1111/j.1445-2197.2005.03280.x | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=15740520  }} </ref>
*The crytoglandular theory states that [[obstruction]] of anal gland [[duct]] results in a [[infection]] and due to the presence of these [[Gland|glands]] deep in relation to the [[anal canal]] and [[sphincter]], the [[infection]] follows the path of least resistance resulting in [[abscess]] formation at the termination of the [[gland]].<ref name="pmid13732880">{{cite journal| author=PARKS AG| title=Pathogenesis and treatment of fistuila-in-ano. | journal=Br Med J | year= 1961 | volume= 1 | issue= 5224 | pages= 463-9 | pmid=13732880 | doi= | pmc=1953161 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=13732880  }} </ref><ref name="pmid14687825">{{cite journal| author=Coremans G, Dockx S, Wyndaele J, Hendrickx A| title=Do anal fistulas in Crohn's disease behave differently and defy Goodsall's rule more frequently than fistulas that are cryptoglandular in origin? | journal=Am J Gastroenterol | year= 2003 | volume= 98 | issue= 12 | pages= 2732-5 | pmid=14687825 | doi=10.1111/j.1572-0241.2003.08716.x | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=14687825  }} </ref>
*The crytoglandular theory states that [[obstruction]] of anal gland [[duct]] results in a [[infection]].
*The presence of these [[Gland|glands]] deep in relation to the [[anal canal]] and [[sphincter]], the [[infection]] follows the path of least resistance resulting in [[abscess]] formation at the termination of the [[gland]].<ref name="pmid13732880">{{cite journal| author=PARKS AG| title=Pathogenesis and treatment of fistuila-in-ano. | journal=Br Med J | year= 1961 | volume= 1 | issue= 5224 | pages= 463-9 | pmid=13732880 | doi= | pmc=1953161 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=13732880  }} </ref><ref name="pmid14687825">{{cite journal| author=Coremans G, Dockx S, Wyndaele J, Hendrickx A| title=Do anal fistulas in Crohn's disease behave differently and defy Goodsall's rule more frequently than fistulas that are cryptoglandular in origin? | journal=Am J Gastroenterol | year= 2003 | volume= 98 | issue= 12 | pages= 2732-5 | pmid=14687825 | doi=10.1111/j.1572-0241.2003.08716.x | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=14687825  }} </ref>


* If the [[abscess]] is ruptured, a [[fistula]] is formed.
* If the [[abscess]] is ruptured, a [[fistula]] is formed.
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*[[Actinomycosis]]
*[[Actinomycosis]]
*[[Chlamydia]]
*[[Chlamydia]]
*[[Lymphogranuloma venereum]] (LGV)
*[[Lymphogranuloma venereum]] ([[Lymphogranuloma venereum|LGV]])
*[[Syphilis]]
*[[Syphilis]]
*[[Tuberculosis]]
*[[Tuberculosis]]

Latest revision as of 19:47, 13 February 2018

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Manpreet Kaur, MD [2]

Overview

Anal fistula develops from infection of anal crypts gland. The initial infection occurs in the ducts of the anal glands and the spread of infection results in the formation of the abscess.If the abscess is ruptured, a fistula is formed. Anal fistulas are associated with following conditions are diverticulitis, foreign-body reactions actinomycosischlamydialymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), syphilistuberculosisradiation exposureHIV diseaseCrohn’s diseasepilonidal disease, hidradenitis suppurativatrauma, previous surgery (including ileoanal pouch surgery), presacral dermoid cystssacrococcygeal teratoma.

Pathophysiology

Anatomy

  • The anal canal is a 2 to 4cm in length, starts at the anorectal junction to the end of anal verge.[1]
  • It is divided into an upper and a lower part by transition zone that is seen at the dentate line or pectinate line which is surrounded by longitudinal mucosal folds, called columns of Morgagni.[1]
  • Each of this fold contains anal crypts, each of which contains 3 to 12 anal glands, the distribution of these glands is not uniform with most of the glands present anterior to the position of the anal canal and fewer in the posterior position.

Pathogenesis

There are following steps in the formation of anal fistula:

Associated Conditions

Anal fistulas are associated with following conditions:[5]

Gross Pathology

On gross pathology:

  • They are seen linear or completely maloriented and have the epithelial lining at one of its edges.

Microscopic Pathology

On microscopic histopathological analysis, following features are found:[6]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Anatomy and Embryology - Springer".
  2. Rickard MJ (2005). "Anal abscesses and fistulas". ANZ J Surg. 75 (1–2): 64–72. doi:10.1111/j.1445-2197.2005.03280.x. PMID 15740520.
  3. PARKS AG (1961). "Pathogenesis and treatment of fistuila-in-ano". Br Med J. 1 (5224): 463–9. PMC 1953161. PMID 13732880.
  4. Coremans G, Dockx S, Wyndaele J, Hendrickx A (2003). "Do anal fistulas in Crohn's disease behave differently and defy Goodsall's rule more frequently than fistulas that are cryptoglandular in origin?". Am J Gastroenterol. 98 (12): 2732–5. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2003.08716.x. PMID 14687825.
  5. "Management of anal fistula | The BMJ".
  6. "anal fistula - Humpath.com - Human pathology".

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