Artificial intelligence and endoanal ultrasound: pioneering automated differentiation of benign anal and sphincter lesions.

Journal: Techniques in coloproctology
Published Date: Jun 10, 2025

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anal injuries, such as lacerations and fissures, are challenging to diagnose because of their anatomical complexity. Endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) has proven to be a reliable tool for detailed visualization of anal structures but relies on expert interpretation. Artificial intelligence (AI) may offer a solution for more accurate and consistent diagnoses. This study aims to develop and test a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based algorithm for automatic classification of fissures and anal lacerations (internal and external) on EUAS.

Authors

  • M Mascarenhas
    Department of Gastroenterology, Precision Medicine Unit, São João University Hospital, 4200-427, Porto, Portugal. miguelmascarenhassaraiva@gmail.com.
  • M J Almeida
    Department of Gastroenterology, Precision Medicine Unit, São João University Hospital, 4200-427, Porto, Portugal.
  • M Martins
    Department of Gastroenterology, Precision Medicine Unit, São João University Hospital, 4200-427, Porto, Portugal.
  • F Mendes
    Department of Gastroenterology, Precision Medicine Unit, São João University Hospital, 4200-427, Porto, Portugal.
  • J Mota
    Department of Gastroenterology, Precision Medicine Unit, São João University Hospital, 4200-427, Porto, Portugal.
  • P Cardoso
    Department of Gastroenterology, Precision Medicine Unit, São João University Hospital, 4200-427, Porto, Portugal.
  • B Mendes
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, 4200-065, Porto, Portugal.
  • J Ferreira
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, 4200-065, Porto, Portugal.
  • G Macedo
    Department of Gastroenterology, Precision Medicine Unit, São João University Hospital, 4200-427, Porto, Portugal.
  • C Poças
    Manoph Gastroenterology Clinic, 4000-007, Porto, Portugal.

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