RESUMO
PurposeTo investigate the clinical value of inverted X-ray plain film and MRI examination in the diagnosis of congenital anorectal malformation (CARM). Materials and Methods Thirty-eight cases with operatively proved anorectal malformation were reviewed; inverted X-ray plain film and MRI examination were performed in all patients before surgery. The relationship between the rectum blind side and pubococcygeal line (PC line), and the type of anal atresia was determined, to compare the diagnostic accuracy of inverted plain film with MRI for CARM typing. Results Of all the 38 cases, 19 cases were with low imperforate anus, 8 cases with median imperforate anus, and 11 cases with high imperforate anus. The accuracy rate of inverted X-ray plain film and MRI examination for the diagnosis of CARM typing was 92.1% (35/38) and 97.4% (37/38) respectively, and the difference between them was not statistically significant (χ2=1.37, P>0.05). 7 cases of fistula, 5 cases of spinal cord malformations and 1 case of right kidney agenesis can be clearly demonstrated on MRI. Conclusion Both inverted X-ray plain film and MRI can diagnose the typing of CARM accurately, but MRI is also able to diagnose the fistula, visceral, spinal cord lesion and other abnormalities accompanied with CARM, while reducing the dose of X-ray radiation and damage in children, thus has higher clinical application value compared with inverted X-ray plain film.