digestive disorders
Anorectal Fistula
Diagnosis of Anorectal Fistula
A doctor's evaluation Sometimes anoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy A doctor can usually see one or more openings of a fistula or can feel the fistula beneath the surface. A probe may be inserted to determine a fistula's depth and direction. By looking through an anoscope (a short, rigid tube) inserted into the rectum and exploring with the probe, the doctor may locate the internal opening of the fistula. Inspection with a sigmoidoscope (see Endoscopy ), which is a much longer viewing scope, also helps the doctor locate the internal opening of the fistula and determine whether the problem is being caused by cancer, Crohn disease, or another disorder. Colonoscopy is done if the doctor suspects Crohn disease (see 