High-Resolution Anoscopy Perceived Discomfort Study

Perianal Exam is part of anal cancer screening. The perianal skin is also examined under magnification and, less commonly, perianal biopsies are obtained.

The HRA exam involves insertion of a plastic anoscope 4-6 cm into the anal canal, with use of 5% acetic acid and Lugol's iodine to highlight abnormal lesions for biopsy. The entire squamocolumnar junction is visualized during the exam, which lasts between 5 and 20 minutes.