Three-dimensional power Doppler transanal ultrasonography, to monitor haemorrhoidal blood flow after Doppler-guided ALTA sclerosing therapy

Aim The study aimed to use power Doppler imaging (PDI) transanal ultrasonography to produce three‐dimensional power Doppler angiography images of haemorrhoidal tissue and to monitor the effects of Doppler‐guided aluminium potassium sulfate and tannic acid (DGALTA) sclerotherapy. Method Ninety‐six haemorrhoids in 43 patients were examined using PDI transanal ultrasonography, and DGALTA sclerotherapy was performed from April 2011 to April 2012. DGALTA sclerotherapy was conducted using a four‐step injection process with pulse wave Doppler ultrasound under perianal local anaesthesia. Results A three‐dimensional power Doppler angiography image of the blood flow in haemorrhoidal tissue was produced using PDI transanal ultrasonography. The cross‐sectional area of blood flow in the haemorrhoidal tissue (PDI area) significantly decreased after DGALTA sclerotherapy. The PDI areas in the preoperative state and 1 and 3 months after treatment were 0.35 ± 0.27, 0.03 ± 0.05 and 0.04 ± 0.05 cm2 (P