The application value of transrectal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of anorectal malignant melanoma

Objective To investigate the value of transrectal ultrasonography(TRUS) in the preoperative diagnosis and tumor T-staging of anorectal malignant melanoma(ARMM). Methods The clinical and ultrasound data of 19 patients(22 lesions) with ARMM confirmed by pathology from February 2008 to Apirl 2019 in Fujian Medical University Affiliated Union Hospital were collected. TRUS was performed within one week before pathological examination. The sonographic features were summarized, ultrasonic typing was performed according to the lesion size and growth pattern, and the accuracies of preoperative ultrasound diagnosis and tumor staging were analyzed. Results Among the 22 lesions, 63.64%(14/22) were with a distance of ≤3 cm between the anal verge and the lower margin of tumor, 68.18%(15/22) with regular shape, 81.82%(18/22) with clear boundary, and 63.64%(14/22) with Adler blood flow grading from Ⅱ to Ⅲ. The preoperative TRUS diagnostic coincidence rate was 73.68%(14/19), and the tumor T-staging accuracy was 75%(12/16), respectively. Conclusions TRUS exhibits certain sonographic characteristics, with high preoperative diagnosis rate and tumor T-staging accuracy in anorectal malignant melanoma, which is of great guiding significance for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Key words: Ultrasonography, transrectal; Anorectal neoplasms; Malignant melanoma; Neoplasm staging