Visualization and hypervascularization of the haemorrhoidal plexus in vivo using power Doppler imaging transanal ultrasonography and three-dimensional power Doppler angiography.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the distribution of haemorrhoidal arteries and the relationship between vascularity and growth of haemorrhoids.

METHOD

One-hundred and three patients with haemorrhoids were studied. Using power Doppler imaging (PDI) transanal ultrasound and three-dimensional power Doppler angiography (3D-PDA), the course of the arteries supplying the haemorrhoids was identified. Measurement of the PDI area was made using the cursor to outline the power Doppler signal of the haemorrhoid, approximately 1 cm above the dentate line.

RESULTS

The haemorrhoidal arteries were seen as branches of the superior rectal artery and were detected in 75.7, 71.8, 68.0 and 62.1% of the 11, 7, 3 and 1 o'clock positions in the lithotomy position. The median number of haemorrhoidal arteries significantly increased from three to six with progression of the Goligher classification from Grade 1 to Grade 4 (P < 0.0001). The PDI areas in Grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 0.04 ± 0.03, 0.18 ± 0.07, 0.38 ± 0.18 and 0.96 ± 0.32 cm(2) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The distribution of haemorrhoidal arteries varies widely in both number and position. Using PDI transanal ultrasonography and 3D-PDA it was possible to visualize the haemorrhoid plexus and the course of the haemorrhoidal artery in vivo.