Anal fistula history and symptoms

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

The hallmark of anal fistula is rectal pain during defecation, sitting and cough. A positive history of Crohns disease, Rectal abscess, Obstetric injury and prior anorectal injury is suggestive of anal fistula. Common symptoms are intermittent rectal pain during defecation, sitting and any activity, pain is throbbing in quality and sometimes occur throughout the day and resolved by opening the track, recurrent perianal malodourous discharge, perianal bloody discharge, perianal pruritis. Less common symptoms of anal fistula are fever and pain referred to thighs, low back, or buttocks.

• The hallmark of anal fistula is rectal pain during defecation, sitting and cough.
• A positive history of Crohns disease, Rectal abscess, Obstetric injury and prior anorectal injury is suggestive of anal fistula.

Common symptoms of anal fistula are:^[1][2][3]

• Intermittent rectal pain during defecation, sitting and any activity.
  • Pain is throbbing in quality and sometimes occur throughout the day and resolved by opening the track.
• Recurrent perianal malodourous discharge.
• Perianal bloody discharge.
• Perianal pruritis.

Less common symptoms of anal fistula:

• If anal fistula gets infected, It can lead to deeper abscesses, such as those that form in the supralevator or high ischiorectal space presents with:^[4][5][6]
  • Pain that is referred to the perineum, low back, or buttocks.
  • High fever with chills and rigors.

Template:WH Template:WS