Anal tags

Background

Anatomy of the anus.

• Minor projections of skin at anal verge
• Inflammatory bowel disease may be associated with skin tag formation
• Sometimes represent residuals of prior hemorrhoids

Clinical Features

Anal skin tags, with mild local inflammation.

• Usually asymptomatic
  • Inflammation may cause itching and pain

Differential Diagnosis

Anorectal Disorders

• Anal fissure
• Anal fistula
• Anal malignancy
• Anal tags
• Anorectal abscess
• Coccydynia
• Colorectal malignancy
• Condyloma acuminata
• Constipation
• Crohn's disease
• Cryptitis
• GC/Chlamydia
• Fecal impaction
• Hemorrhoids
  • Internal hemorrhoid
  • External hemorrhoid
• Levator ani syndrome
• Pedunculated polyp
• Pilonidal cyst
• Proctalgia fugax
• Proctitis
• Pruritus ani
  • Enterobius (pinworms)
• Rectal foreign body
• Rectal prolapse
• Syphilitic fissure

Non-GI Look-a-Likes

• Prostatitis

Evaluation

• Clinical

Management

• Skin tags covering anal crypts, fistulas, and fissures are "sentinel tags"
  • Surgical referral for excision and/or biopsy is warranted

See Also

• Anorectal Disorders