The use of digital photos and video images taken by a parent in the diagnosis of anal swelling and anal protrusions in children with normal physical examination.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that digital photos and video images taken by a parent can provide a definite diagnosis and makes some diagnostic procedures (eg, air contrast enema, sigmoidoscopy) unnecessary for anal swelling and anal protrusions in children with normal physical examination.

METHODS: In a 41-month period (September 2007-January 2011), 23 parents brought their children to the clinic, stating that they saw a swelling in the anal region and/or that something protruded from the anus while their children were defecating. If the visual inspection of the anal region and digital rectal examination of the patients were normal, parents were asked to take photos or record videos when the lesion occurred to make a diagnosis and avoid the need for air contrast enema and/or sigmoidoscopy. The parents were also asked either to send these images to the surgeon via e-mail or bring an image or the camera to the surgeon's office. The patients age, sex, symptoms, medical history, results of their first physical examination, photos and video records, and the diagnosis and treatment were recorded. All of these information were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS: The photos provided by 20 parents and the video records from 3 parents were assessed, and the diagnoses of all patients were confirmed. Of these 23 patients, a definitive diagnosis of rectal prolapse in 8, hemorrhoids in 10, rectal polyps in 3, and sentinel skin tag in 2 was made. In addition, the photographic and video evidence gave the clinicians an idea of the degree of rectal prolapse in patients for whom this was a problem. Three patients diagnosed with a rectal polyp underwent polyp excision. One patient with rectal prolapse who was unresponsive to medical treatment underwent laparoscopic posterior rectopexy, and all other patients received medical treatment.

CONCLUSION: When a swelling or protruding anal lesion in a child is discovered by parents and visual inspection of the anal region and digital rectal examination is normal, parents should be encouraged to take photos or videos of the anal region before performing air contrast enema and/or sigmoidoscopy. These photos and videos can provide a definitive diagnosis and prevent unnecessary diagnostic procedures.