investigations
Last reviewed 01/2018
Suspected haemorrhoids are investigated by:
- examine the abdomen, groins and genitals for masses, lymphadenopathy, etc.
- digital examination:
- this is essential
- helps to exclude carcinoma and provides a useful measure of anal tone
- note that haemorrhoids are often not palpable on digital examination because they empty with pressure from the examining finger
- proctoscopy:
- necessary to diagnose first or second degree piles
- piles are seen bulging into the lumen as the proctoscope is withdrawn
- sigmoidoscopy:
- indicated if there is a history of bleeding or there are symptoms that are suspicious of malignancy