Perianal Fistulas
Type: Symptom
Definition
Abnormal, inflammatory tunnel tracts that form between the bowel wall and the perianal skin.
Clinical Details
Because the autoimmune inflammation penetrates completely through the entire thickness of the intestinal wall, it frequently burrows into adjacent tissues. These destructive tracts tunnel from the rectum entirely out to the skin near the anus, creating painful, infected pathways. They frequently leak fecal matter and pus, requiring aggressive surgical intervention to permanently close.