Snapshot A 33-year-old woman with irritable bowel syndrome (constipation type) presents to her primary care physician for evaluation of severely painful bowel movements. She reports that onset occurs during the bowel movement and may persist for hours afterward causing significant fear of having bowel movements. She also notes small amounts of bright red blood on the toilet paper. Introduction Clinical definition linear tear of the distal anal canal acute or chronic Epidemiology demographics equal in males and females younger and middle-aged risk factors low fiber diet constipation chronic diarrhea prior anal surgery hypertonicity of the internal anal sphincter Pathogenesis trauma to the distal anal canal most often from a hard bowel movement anal sphincter spasm and increase in anal sphincter pressure Associated conditions inflammatory bowel disease sexually transmitted infections acquired immunodeficiency syndrome squamous cell carcinoma of the anus Presentation Symptoms painful bowel movement bright red blood on toilet paper or stool Physical exam tear of the anal epithelium and mucosa most often at the midline, posterior more than anterior sentinel pile or skin tag, if chronic Evaluation Diagnostic testing perianal examination direct visualization of the anal fissure is diagnostic if chronic, sentinel pile or skin tag below the fissure if typical, no additional tests necessary if atypical (off midline, multiple, non-healing), further testing is indicated for underlying associated conditions anoscopy or proctosigmoidoscopy if poor healing or recurrent to evaluate for other pathologies if chronic, hypertrophied papilla above the fissure if lateral to midline must rule out alternative cause HIV, syphilis, tuberculosis malignancy inflammatory conditions (Crohn disease) Differential External hemorrhoid distinguishing factor hemorrhoid visualized on exam Anal cancer distinguishing factor off midline location bulky appearance Treatment First-line Medical management fiber supplementation and stool softeners soften and form stool topical lidocaine and sitz bath symptomatic management nitroglycerin ointment and calcium channel blockers relax the internal anal sphincter muscle may cause hypotension Second-line interventional botulinum toxin injection to the anal sphincter surgical lateral internal sphincterotomy Complications Chronic anal fissure Fecal bacterial infection of wound
QUESTIONS 1 of 2 1 2 Previous Next (M2.GI.16.41) A 4-year-old boy is brought into your office by his parents who state that the boy has been noncompliant with his toilet training and passes stools every 4 days. They describe his stool as hard pellets. They deny any problems during pregnancy and state that he was born at a weight of 7 lbs and 10 oz. They state that he remained in the hospital for one day after his delivery. Since then, he has not had any problems and was exclusively breast fed for the first six months of his life. On physical exam, there is a shallow tear in the posterior verge of his anus. Which of the following is the best treatment? QID: 104583 Type & Select Correct Answer 1 Colonoscopy 0% (0/0) 2 Proctoscopy 0% (0/0) 3 Fiber supplementation 0% (0/0) 4 Laxatives and stool softeners 0% (0/0) 5 Sigmoidoscopy and biopsy 0% (0/0) M 7 Question Complexity E Question Importance Select Answer to see Preferred Response SUBMIT RESPONSE 4 Review Tested Concept Review Full Topic Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK