Comparative Effectiveness of Imaging Modalities for Preoperative Assessment of Anorectal Malformation in the Pediatric Population

This retrospective study of 84 pediatric ARM patients demonstrates MRI's superior diagnostic accuracy compared to X-ray and colostography for preoperative assessment. MRI showed significantly better detection of spinal anomalies and Pena classification, while also identifying associated genitourinary abnormalities and sphincter complex development in a substantial proportion of cases.