fistula
fistula
An anal fistula is a small tunnel that connects an abscess, an infected cavity in the anus, to an opening on the skin around the anus. The leading causes of an anal fistula are clogged anal glands and anal abscesses.
Other, much less common, conditions that can cause an anal fistula include: Crohn’s disease (an inflammatory disease of the intestine)
Radiation (treatment for cancer) Trauma Sexually transmitted diseases
Tuberculosis Cancer
- Pain and swelling around the anus
- Bloody or foul-smelling drainage (pus) from an opening around the anus. The pain may decrease after the fistula drains.
- Irritation of the skin around the anus from drainage
- Pain with bowel movements
- Bleeding
- Fever, chills and a general feeling of fatigue
- Your doctor can usually diagnose an anal fistula by examining the area around the anus. He or she will look for an opening (the fistula tract) on the skin. In many cases, there will be drainage from the external opening.
- Some fistulas may not be visible on the skin's surface. In this case, your physician may need to perform additional tests:
- An anoscopy is a procedure in which a special instrument is used to see inside your anus and rectum.
- Pain with bowel movements
- Your physician may also order an ultrasound or MRI of the anal area to get a better view of the fistula tract.