Role of MRI in Perianal Fistula (MRI PA fistula)

Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Assessment of Perianal Fistula

The aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of MRI in detecting and assessment the primary fistulous tract, internal openings, secondary extensions, and associated abscesses. (and compare these findings with the surgical findings in patients who underwent surgery).

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Perianal Fistula
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Diagnostic imaging (MRI)

Detailed Description

This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the preoperative assessment of anal fistula. MRI has become an essential imaging modality for the evaluation of perianal fistulous disease due to its superior soft-tissue contrast and ability to delineate fistulous tracts, internal openings, secondary extensions, and associated abscesses.

Patients clinically suspected of having anal fistula and scheduled for surgical management will undergo preoperative MRI examination. The MRI protocol will include multiplanar T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences, with or without fat suppression, to accurately identify the primary fistulous tract, internal opening, secondary ramifications, and any associated collections.

MRI findings will be recorded and classified according to standard fistula classification systems. These findings will then be compared with intraoperative surgical findings, which will be considered the reference standard.

The primary objective of this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of MRI in identifying the primary tract, internal opening, secondary extensions, and associated abscesses. Secondary objectives include assessing the role of MRI in preoperative planning and evaluating its ability to reduce recurrence rates through better delineation of fistulous anatomy.

The results of this study may contribute to improving preoperative evaluation strategies and optimizing surgical management in patients with perianal fistula.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 30

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Merit Nabil Sobhy, Resident; Phone Number: 01271935119; Email: meret_nabil_post@med.sohag.edu.eg

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Sohag Governorate
    • Sohag, Sohag Governorate, Egypt
      • Sohag University Hospital
      • Contact: Merit Nabil Sobhy, Resident; Phone Number: 01271935119; Email: meret_nabil_post@med.sohag.edu.eg
      • Principal Investigator: Merit Nabil Sobhy, Resident

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients clinically suspected or diagnosed with perianal fistula who are referred to the radiology department for preoperative MRI evaluation. The study will include both male and female patients of different age groups presenting to the surgical or colorectal clinics and scheduled for surgical management. MRI findings will be compared with intraoperative findings to assess diagnostic accuracy.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients clinically diagnosed or suspected to have perianal fistula.
• Both male and female patients of any age group
• Patients referred for preoperative MRI assessment prior to surgical management.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with contraindications to MRI, such as pacemakers, metallic implants, or severe claustrophobia.
• Patients refusing to participate in the study.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Patients with perianal fistula; Participants clinically suspected to have perianal fistula and sent to MRI unit for peri-operative assessment of the Fistula.	Other: Diagnostic imaging (MRI); MRI is performed as apart of peri-operative assessment of perianal fistula, This is not therapeutic intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Diagnostic accuracy of MRI in assessment of perianal fistula	Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting and classifying perianal fistulas and associated complications. MRI findings will be compared with surgical findings as the reference standard to determine sensitivity, specificity, and overall diagnostic performance.	Preoperative MRI assessment performed within 2 weeks before surgery.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Sohag University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Nahla Mohamed Ali, MD, unaffillated

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): March 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 29, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 29, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 3, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 3, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 29, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Investigative Techniques; Physical Phenomena; Chemistry Techniques, Analytical; Spectrum Analysis; Electromagnetic Phenomena; Magnetic Phenomena; Electromagnetic Radiation; Radiation; Radiation, Ionizing; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; X-Rays
• Other Study ID Numbers: Soh-Med-26-3-6MS

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: IPD will not be shared due to privacy and confidentiality considerations.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No