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Common anorectal disorders: Diagnosis and treatment

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Abstract

Anorectal disorders affect men and women of all ages. Their management is not limited to the evaluation and treatment of hemorrhoids. Rather, a spectrum of anorectal disorders ranges from benign and irritating (pruritus ani) to potentially life-threatening (anorectal cancer). Symptoms are nonspecific, which can make the evaluation of patients difficult. In addition, treatment can be frustrating because clinicians are hamstrung by a lack of well-designed, prospective, clinical trials. Some of the most common anorectal disorders include fecal incontinence, pelvic floor dyssynergia, anal fissures, pruritus ani, proctalgia fugax, and solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. This article provides an update on the evaluation and treatment of common anorectal disorders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Area 4C, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA

    Brian E. Lacy

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  1. Brian E. Lacy
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  2. Kirsten Weiser
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Correspondence to Brian E. Lacy.

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Lacy, B.E., Weiser, K. Common anorectal disorders: Diagnosis and treatment. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 11, 413–419 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-009-0062-y

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