BACKGROUND: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection has a high incidence in the population and is considered a pre malignant condition. The purpose of this study is to analyze a method of detection of subclinic anorectal HPV and its neoplasic changes; the incidence in people with more than three sexual partners a year and the results of the treatment with podofilin, trichloroacetic acid, electrocauterization and local resection. METHODS: Twenty two patients were divided into three groups, and submitted to high resolution anuscopy. The first group included ten patients with persistent anal pruritus, in whom other causes were eliminated such as diabetes, orificial diseases, other sexual transmitted diseases, verminosis and were instructed about dietary and local care; the second and third groups included six patients treated for anal condylomata and six patients treated for genital HPV, respectively, for at least six months. None of them had clinical manifestations of the disease. Positive cases were treated with podofilin 25% and trichloroacetic acid, and carcinoma "in situ" cases were resected and electrocauterized. RESULTS: Anuscopy provided guided biopsies in positive areas, which anatomopathologic results were positive for HPV infection in 100% of the patients, including two cases of carcinoma "in situ" and eight associated intraepithelial lesions. Only nine percent of these patients had more than three sexual partners per year. The koilocytotic atypia persisted in all patients treated with podofilin and trichloroacetic acid; local resection and electrocauterization of the carcinoma "in situ" resulted in total remission of the neoplasia but no eradication of the koilocytotic atypia. CONCLUSION: High resolution anuscopy provided diagnosis of subclinical HPV and its neoplastic changes in 100% of the patients. Only nine percent had more than three sexual partners per year. Podofilin and trichloroacetic acid treatment was not effective to eradicate the anatomopathologic changes caused by subclinical HPV. The local resection and electrocauterization of the carcinoma "in situ" were effective, although, koilocytotic atypia was maintained.
Papilloma; Carcinoma "in situ"; Anus; Anus neoplasms; Diagnosis
