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Anal fissure - Diagnosis
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Detection of an anal fissure is not difficult. The anamnesis and characteristic complaints suggest its existence. The diagnosis becomes clear during examination of the anus. When spreading the buttocks, a fissure or sentinel tubercle is detected at its outer edge. If the anal fissure is not visible during examination, then a careful digital examination of the rectum should be performed. In this case, a seal will be determined on the affected wall of the anal canal. Rectosigmoidoscopy should not be performed in the acute period due to severe pain syndrome and sphincter spasm. In cases where differentiation of anal fissure from other diseases is necessary, the examination can be performed after a preliminary injection of 4-5 ml of 1% novocaine solution under the fissure.
Differential diagnosis of anal fissure is carried out with coccygodynia, anal form of Crohn's disease, nonspecific ulcerative colitis.