What are the common causes of anal fistulas, including medical conditions or infections that may lead to them, and what diagnostic methods do doctors typically use to confirm their presence and assess their severity?
Common causes are anal gland infections, abscesses, Crohn’s disease, and prior surgeries. Diagnosis usually starts with a clinical exam, and imaging like MRI or endoanal ultrasound is used for complex fistulas. I had an MRI done before my procedure, which helped the surgeon plan everything precisely.