Background: Perianal fistula is a troublesome condition both for patient and surgeon with significant morbidity and challenging treatment. MRI is considered as the technique of choice for preoperative evaluation of perianal fistulae, as it provides accurate anatomical information for appropriate surgical treatment, decreasing the incidence of recurrence and allowing side effects such as fecal incontinence to be avoided. The study aimed to describe the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and classification of perianal fistulae. Methods: This retrospective study looked at 52 patients referred to the radiology department with a clinical diagnosis of perianal fistula. MRI grading of anal fistula done according to St. James’s University Hospital classification. Results: The MRI showed 46 internal openings in 44 patients; two patients had more than one. The internal opening was mostly at the 6 o’clock position in 59.9% patients, followed by 7 o’clock and 5 o’clock position in 11.3% of patients. According to the St. James’s University Hospital classification, 21 (47.7%) patients had grade 1, 11 (25%) patients had grade 2, 2 (4.5%) had grade 3, 7 (15.9%) had grade 4, and 4 (9%) had grade 5 fistulae. Twenty-five patients had associated abscesses. The most common location of the abscess was in the perianal region (8 patients). Conclusions: MR imaging examinations is a highly accurate imaging method for preoperative evaluation perianal fistula. It provides precise information of the fistulous track, along with its relationship to pelvic structures and plays crucial role for surgical planning.

Background: Chest X-rays are important for tracking the progression of lung abnormalities, particularly in critically ill COVID-19 patients in the intensive care units (ICU). We aimed to assess correlation of chest X-ray findings with the COVID-19 disease severity and outcome. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at B & C Teaching Hospital, Birtamode from 15 March to 15 July 2021. All diagnosed COVID-19 patients admitted in the ICU for respiratory distress with oxygen saturation < 90% and evaluated by portable X-rays were enrolled. The radiographic findings were evaluated for the distribution and patterns of affection, and the total severity score was calculated using RALE scales of 0 - 8 and Brixia scales of 0 - 18. The scores were then compared between the expired and improved patients. Results: The age of patients (mean ± SD) was 48.2 ± 13.84 years. During the first four days of hospitalization, there was no significant difference in Brixia score (p = 0.793) or RALE score (p = 0.842) between expired and improved patients.The differences in both (Brixia and RALE) scores grew with each passing day (p < 0.05). The Brixia and RALE severity scores had a strong positive correlation at various stages of disease in both expired and improved patients. (r > 0.75, p < 0.001). Conclusion: In resource limited setting, the severity scores (RALE or Brixia) can be used as a quantitative method of the extent of COVID-19 pneumonia, correlating with an increased risk of ICU admission.