Intermediate imperforate anus: clinical and radiographic implications.

Five male infants are described with imperforate anus with external signs of a low lesion but with subsequent evidence of a higher lesion with demonstration of a fistula into the anterior urethra either at surgery or by radiographic studies. The cases should be considered an intermediate form of imperforate anus with external signs of a low lesion but with fistula characteristically to the membranous or bulbous urethra. These infants should be treated surgically as high lesions with initial diverting colostomies.