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PubMed1994

Interobserver agreement in defecography.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to test the reproducibility of the diagnostic assessment of defecographies in patients with a suspected disorder of defecation. METHODS: To evaluate interobserver agreement, 100 defecographic series of patients with complaints suggesting a disordered defecation were evaluated independently by three observers with a standardized questionnaire. After six weeks, a random sample of 35 of 100 defecographies was evaluated a second time with clinical data provided (history, proctologic examination). To evaluate whether the position of residual volume in the rectum would affect agreement, patients with substantial retention either in the upper or lower rectum were also evaluated separately. RESULTS: Total agreement regarding rectocele and internal prolapse was 0.81 and 0.75, respectively (1.0 = complete agreement), and was significantly higher than chance agreement. Total agreement regarding residual volume in the rectum at the end of defecography and clinical relevance of findings was not different from chance agreement, providing clinical data did not significantly improve agreement. When residual volume was situated in the lower rectum, agreement regarding incompleteness of emptying and its clinical relevance was much better (0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver agreement is good regarding the deformation of the rectum during defecography but not different from chance agreement regarding the completeness of evacuation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Experience of 4 years with open MR defecography: pictorial review of anorectal anatomy and disease.

Functional disorders of the pelvic floor are a common clinical problem. Diagnosis and treatment of these disorders, which frequently manifest with nonspecific symptoms such as constipation or incontinence, remain difficult. Fluoroscopic x-ray defecography has been shown to aid in detection of functional and morphologic abnormalities of the anorectal region. With the advent of open-configuration magnetic resonance (MR) imaging systems, MR defecography with the patient in a vertical position became possible. MR defecography permits analysis of the anorectal angle, the opening of the anal canal, the function of the puborectal muscle, and the descent of the pelvic floor during defecation. Good demonstration of the rectal wall permits visualization of intussusceptions and rectoceles. Excellent demonstration of the perirectal soft tissues allows assessment of spastic pelvic floor syndrome and descending perineum syndrome and visualization of enteroceles. MR defecography with an open-configuration magnet allows accurate assessment of anorectal morphology and function in relation to surrounding structures without exposing the patient to harmful ionizing radiation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Defecography and treatment of essential anal pain].

INTRODUCTION: Proctalgia is a chronic anal pain in the absence of any organic conditions of the anorectum and excluding such morphofunctional disorders as rectal prolapse, intussusception and solitary rectal ulcer, which are easily shown with defecography but not with other imaging techniques. Proctalgia patients undergo a long workup and many instrumental and radiologic examinations and are finally referred to the proctologist with a condition which is difficult to diagnose and treat. We investigated the defecographic findings and anorectal abnormalities of essential proctalgia, as well as the correlation between radiologic findings, clinical symptoms and efficacy of biofeedback treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined 31 patients (21 women and 10 men; age range: 25-67 years, mean: 46) with defecography, clinico-proctologic investigations integrated with anoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, anorectal manometry and psychological tests. The women were submitted to gynecologic examination: 8 patients had a history of anorectal and pelvic surgery. We did not perform anal electromyography because it may cause painful sphincterial spasms. All patients underwent 30-minute weekly sessions of biofeedback till regression of symptoms. RESULTS: Anal pain was described as anorectal in 18 cases, anoperineal in 7, anosphincterial in 5 and rectovaginal in 1 case. It radiated to the sacrum in 42% of cases, thighs in 23%, gluteus muscles in 19%, and was related to evacuation in 39% of cases. Pain lasted some hours (58%) to a few minutes (42%). Manometric data showed sphincterial hypertonia in 14 patients. Eleven patients suffered from anxiety and were on drug treatment. Defecography demonstrated rectocele in 15 cases, puborectalis muscle syndrome in 14, external sphincter spasm in 12, perineal descent in 8, rectal muscosal prolapse in 4, intussusception in 3 and fecal incontinence in 2 cases. After 10 weeks of biofeedback training, all patients reported improvement of symptoms, which was confirmed at manometry as reduced sphincterial pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of essential proctalgia is unknown, but functional disorders of the pelvic floor and sphincterial muscles, as well as altered perineal stasis and pudendal conditions, all play an important role. These data are confirmed in our study where puborectalis syndrome, external sphincterial spasm and perineal descent are involved in over 70% of cases. Defecography is a useful tool because it permits to diagnose abnormal anorectal morphology and to diagnose sphincterial and puborectalis muscle dysfunctions which are missed with other instrumental and imaging techniques.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Diagnosis with defecography of puborectal muscle syndrome].

The puborectalis syndrome is a defecation disorder supported by the nonrelaxation of puborectalis sling with consequent dyschezia. We report on a series of 98 patients submitted to clinical examination, defecography, anorectal manometry, electromyography and intestinal transit time studies. Puborectalis anatomy and physiology are briefly reviewed. The main symptoms of puborectalis syndrome in our patients were incomplete defecation (89%) and intermittent evacuation (63%); 28% of patients turned to finger defecation. In all patients, defecography showed an abnormal increase in puborectalis impression on the posterior anorectal wall, reduced anorectal angle opening under straining (mean value: 113 degrees) and prolonged expulsion time with barium pooling in the ampulla (mean evacuation time: 38 seconds). Such anorectal abnormalities as rectal mucosal prolapse (47 cases) and anterior rectocele (36 cases) were also associated. In 33 of 98 patients (34% of cases), sling assessment by bidigital palpation at preliminary clinical examination revealed puborectalis hypertonia, which was later confirmed at defecography. Manometry was not specific for the diagnosis of puborectalis syndrome, detecting increased external anal sphincter pressure under straining in 24 of 35 patients (68.8%). Puborectalis activity was increased under straining in 16 subjects submitted to electromyography. Intestinal transit time studies showed a typical expulsion delay and radiopaque marker pooling in the ampulla in 18 of 23 patients (78.2%). In our experience, defecography is a useful, simple and noninvasive method for the accurate diagnosis of the puborectalis syndrome.

Defecation↗
PubMed2003

Dynamic transperineal ultrasound vs. defecography in patients with evacuatory difficulty: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Defecating proctography has been traditionally used to assess patients with evacuatory dysfunction. More recently, dynamic transperineal ultrasound has been described, defining the interaction between the infralevator viscera and the pelvic floor at rest and during straining. This study compared qualitative diagnosis and quantitative measurement obtained by defecography and dynamic transperineal ultrasonography in patients with evacuatory difficulty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three women were examined using both techniques with both examiners blinded to the results of the other method. Quantitative measurement was made of rectocele depth, anorectal angle (at rest and during maximal straining) and anorectal junction position at rest and movement during straining. RESULTS: There was good agreement for the diagnoses of rectocele, rectoanal intususseption, and rectal prolapse. Dynamic transperineal ultrasound was more likely than defecography to make multiple diagnoses or to diagnose an enterocele when a rectocele was present. There was no difference noted between the two techniques for the measurement of anorectal angle at rest, anorectal junction position at rest, or anorectal junction movement during straining. The mean anorectal angle during straining was 123.3+/-4.3 degrees as measured by defecography and 116.4+/-3.3 degrees as measured by dynamic transperineal ultrasound, nearly reaching statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Dynamic transperineal ultrasound is a simple and accurate technique for assessment of the pelvic floor and soft-tissues in patients with evacuatory dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Associations of defecography and physiologic findings in male patients with rectocele.

This study evaluated the incidence and physiological findings in male patients with rectoceles. All defecographic studies were evaluated by a single colorectal surgeon. After diagnosis of rectocele in male patients, the patient's history, symptoms, and physiologic tests (anal manometry, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency [PNTML], assessment and electromyography [EMG]) were studied. A prominent rectocele was defined as one that did not empty during defecography and was associated with outlet obstructive syndrome. Forty (17%) rectoceles were diagnosed in 234 male patients with evacuatory disorders who underwent defecography. Rectoceles were anterior in 19 (48%) and posterior in 21 (52%) patients. The main complaint was constipation with difficult defecation in 33 (83%), followed by rectal pain in 5 (13%), rectal prolapse in 1 (3%), and incontinence in 1 (3%). Previous prostatic surgery had been performed in 16 (40%) patients. The mean age and duration of symptoms were 72.4 years (range, 30-88) and 10.3 years (range, 0.5-70), respectively. Excessive straining during evacuation was noted in 73%, unilateral or bilateral pudendal neuropathy in 24.5%, paradoxical puborectalis contraction in 49% and abnormal EMG in 11% of patients. Higher resting pressures with a mean 3.9 cm high pressure zone were noted in 29% of patients. The accompanying findings in defecography were, non-relaxing or partially relaxing puborectalis muscle (66%), perineal descent (65%), intussusception (23%), and sigmoidocele (15%). None of the patients underwent surgery for rectocele alone. In conclusion, rectocele is uncommon in males; it rarely appears as an isolated dysfunction as it is often associated with functional disorders of the pelvic floor. There is a frequent association between rectocele and prostatectomy. Clinical significance and therapeutic strategy remain unknown.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The role of parity and hysterectomy on the development of pelvic floor abnormalities revealed by defecography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to assess the role of multiparity and pelvic surgery, especially hysterectomy, on pelvic floor dysfunction as diagnosed on defecography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred fifty-four women who underwent defecography between 1986 and 1996 were asked to provide information regarding obstetric history and pelvic surgery. Responses were obtained from 272 women (response rate, 77%). Their presenting symptoms ranged from incontinence to constipation and obstructed defecation. Historical data were correlated with incidence of defecographic abnormalities that included rectocele, enterocele, rectal prolapse, incontinence, excessive pelvic floor descent, and dyskinetic puborectal muscle. RESULTS: Women with three or more birth deliveries were more likely to have incontinence (48% versus 36%, p = .05) and excessive pelvic floor descent (26% versus 17%, p = .07) than women who had delivered fewer children. Women undergoing hysterectomy before defecography were more likely to have enterocele (40% versus 25%, p = .009) and excessive pelvic floor descent (25% versus 15%, p = .04) than women who had never undergone hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm the common belief that trauma from childbirth or hysterectomy contributes to the development of defecation disorders.

Defecography↗
PubMed1998

[Integrated study of fecal incontinence with defecography, anal ultrasonography, perineography, and manometry].

INTRODUCTION: Imaging methods such as defecography, anal US and perineography, combined with manometry, now permit to identify a growing number of causes of anorectal and pelvic floor deficiency. Fecal incontinence patients can thus be approached correctly relative to both diagnosis and treatment. We investigated the role of these techniques in the work-up of fecal incontinence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-eight subjects suffering from fecal incontinence were examined. Defecography was carried out with a special commode and videorecorded on a VHS cassette. Anal US was performed with a 7-MHz rotating probe (type 1846) with 3-cm focus length. Perineography was carried out in 15 female patients. RESULTS: The anorectal angle (ARA) at rest was increased (mean: 106 degrees; normal range: 90-100 degrees) in 34 cases; involuntary barium leakage was seen in 8 patients, especially on coughing. On squeezing, ARA was normal in 10 cases (mean: 72 degrees; normal range: 60-90 degrees); in 5 cases of puborectal hypotonia there was no angular excursion between rest and squeezing (mean: 105 degrees). During evacuation, the average ARA value was 166 degrees in 21 cases and ARA stretched to verticalization in 8 cases (mean: 179 degrees). Morphofunctional anorectal changes appeared as rectal mucosal prolapse (12 cases), rectocele (10 cases), perineal descent syndrome (8 cases) and external rectal prolapse (3 cases). Anal US identified 15 interruptions in sphincterial rings: 12 patterns were hypoechoic, 2 mixed and 1 hyperechoic. Atrophic thinning of internal anal sphincter was seen in 5 idiopathic incontinence patients. Perineography demonstrated cystocele in 5 cases and cystourethrocele in 1 case. Manometry showed sphincterial hypotonia at rest in 15 cases, lower values of anorectal pressure on squeezing in 8 and smaller air volumes inhibiting external sphincterial tone in 19 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Defecographic studies with evaluation of ARA and its changes are an important tool with high diagnostic yield. When combined with other techniques, they provide differential criteria for sphincterial and puborectal causes and permits to identify associated pelvic floor dysfunctions. We believe that defecography, anal US (and perineography in complex disorders) are necessary techniques for the correct clinical approach to fecal incontinence patients, whose role and diagnostic yield are a valid support to manometry.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Role of manometry, defecography and anal endosonography in the evaluation of colorectal disorders.

OBJECTIVE: altered motility or anatomy of the rectum, anus and perineal floor may lead to symptoms which are unresponsive to routine therapeutic approaches. These disturbances usually lead to constipation, fecal incontinence, or both. Different tests and techniques for evaluating anorectal and perineal disorders, developed in the last two decades, make a better understanding of these disorders possible. This study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic benefits of combining manometry, defecography and anal endosonography in the assessment of patients with anorectal disorders. METHODS: twenty-five children with constipation (with or without soiling), incontinence and/or prolapse underwent anal manometry, defecography and anal endosonography. Group A consisted of 9 children with fecal incontinence, group B consisted of 10 children with constipation with soiling, and group C comprised 6 children with constipation without soiling. RESULTS: in group A resting incontinence was associated with a hypotonic external sphincter in 4 out of 9 patients, 2 of whom had internal anal sphincter thinning. In group B resting incontinence was associated with a hypotonic external sphincter in 8 out of 10 patients, 6 of whom had internal anal sphincter thinning. In group C these associations were not seen in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: barium enema is not sufficient for an accurate diagnosis of anorectal disorders. No single test is capable of revealing the type of disease. Anal manometry, defecography and endosonography are complementary procedures in the assessment of this group of disorders. This new approach will improve our knowledge of the pathogenesis of these disorders in children. However, further studies are needed to obtain conclusive evidence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Interobserver agreement in defecography--an international study.

BACKGROUND: Defecography is considered to be an essential investigation in the evaluation of functional anorectal disorders, but the agreement between observers from different clinical centers has never been evaluated. METHODS: 14 defecographic studies were selected aimed to cover the most relevant defecographic findings responsible for disordered defecation. Eight studies were considered unequivocal, but six were thought to be controversial. All were sent to the ten participants in Europe and the US (five proctosurgeons, three radiologists, two gastroenterologists). They evaluated the studies using a previously agreed upon questionnaire. Interobserver agreement was quantified by kappa statistics and by the proportions of positive and negative agreement as compared to chance agreement, respectively. RESULTS: Overall, only the completeness of rectal emptying and the presence of a rectocele achieved acceptable kappa values above 0.4. When restricting the evaluation to the studies considered to be unequivocal, agreement improved considerably and was moderate to good for all items describing the images (kappa 0.43-0.63). However, whether proctosurgery should be performed and whether defecography contributed to the management of the particular patient remained controversial with very low kappa. CONCLUSIONS: It is doubtful whether defecography contributes substantially to the management of patients with disordered defecation.

Anus Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Digital subtraction in defecography.

BACKGROUND: Defecography is commonly used in investigation of pelvic floor and anorectal dysfunction, and incorporates measurement of pelvic floor movement during various maneuvers. These measurements are usually referenced to bony landmarks, particularly the ischial tuberosities. These bony landmarks may be difficult to visualize; theoretically, the use of digital subtraction in filming defecography studies should eliminate the need to pinpoint bony position. METHODS: We filmed 25 defecogram studies in both non-subtracted and subtracted formats, and interpreted each study blindly, subsequently comparing diagnoses and measurements. RESULTS: Subtraction was of limited benefit in only one case, was impossible in one case, added no useful information in 18 cases, and hindered visualization of abnormalities in five cases. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the multiple overlapping densities and the inability to restrict patient movement, digital subtraction is unhelpful in defecography.

Barium Sulfate↗
PubMed1994

Defecography. Results of investigations in 2,816 patients.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to analyze the frequency of different findings at defecography in patients with defecation disorders and see in what way the evaluation could be improved. METHODS: The reports of investigations in 2,816 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-three percent of the investigations were considered normal. Thirty-one percent of the patients had rectal intussusception, 13 percent had rectal prolapse, 27 percent had rectocele, and 19 percent had enterocele. Twenty-one percent of the patients had a combination of two or three of these diagnoses. The combination of rectocele and enterocele was rare. The majority of patients with enterocele had other concomitant findings. Patients with or without abnormal perineal descent had similar frequencies of rectal prolapse, rectal intussusception, and enterocele. Rectocele was more common in patients with abnormal perineal descent. CONCLUSIONS: Defecography is valuable when investigating patients with defecation disorders. Pathologic findings were found in 77 percent of the patients. A standardized protocol should ensure a complete evaluation of defecography.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Scintigraphic defecography: quantitative and dynamic assessment of anorectal function.

PURPOSE: Conventional assessment of anorectal function with defecating videoproctography is semiquantitative and the high radiation exposure precludes prolonged or repeated testing. The aim of this study was to develop a dynamic scintigraphic method of assessing anorectal function. METHODS: Fourteen patients with fecal incontinence, 18 patients with chronic constipation, and 8 control subjects were assessed by scintigraphic defecography. This involves introduction of a technetium-99m-radiolabeled artificial stool into the rectum of the subject and acquisition of gamma camera images during evacuation. RESULTS: Mean evacuation rate was 2.8 percent/second in incontinent patients and 0.9 percent/second in constipated patients (P < 0.001). The mean anorectal angles were 136 degrees and 133 degrees, respectively. There were 18 cases of pelvic floor descent and 6 rectoceles. Scintigraphic defecography provides quantitative information on rectal evacuation. Anorectal angle and pelvic floor movement can be examined. The radiation dose to pelvic organs is significantly less than with videoproctography. CONCLUSION: We believe that scintigraphic defecography is the investigation of choice for objective and dynamic assessment of anorectal function.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Defecography in patients with anorectal disorders. Which findings are clinically relevant?

To evaluate the results and clinical impact of defecography in patients with anorectal disorders, 100 results of defecographic examinations from 92 patients were reviewed. The defecographic results were screened for the anorectal angle, defined both at rest and during straining, perineal descent, and abnormalities of the rectal configuration during straining. Anal manometry, saline infusion test, rectal capacity measurement, and anal electromyography (EMG) were also performed. There was a significant difference (P less than 0.001) both at rest (22 degrees) and during straining (12 degrees) between the two anorectal angle measurements. Incontinent patients had a larger anorectal angle, both at rest and during straining, than continent patients (P less than 0.04), but with a large overlap. The anorectal angle was not influenced by gender or age. An abnormal rectal configuration was found in 62 defecographic examinations. From the 8 patients with rectopexy performed for a large rectocele or intussusception, incontinent patients with an intussusception had the best results. In four patients, anal EMG showed an increased activity of the external sphincter during straining. Two of these four patients had abnormal defecograhic results. No correlations were found between anorectal angle and the other function tests. In conclusion, the anorectal angle lacks clinical relevance. In patients with defecation problems, defecography may be indicated whenever other investigations (physical examination, anal manometry, anal EMG) have excluded local pathology or a spastic pelvic floor syndrome. In these situations, defecography could detect an intussusception, which could easily be treated with rectopexy.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Surgical treatment and role of dynamic defecography after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: technical solutions to a difficult problem.

PURPOSE: Patients with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis may develop impaired evacuation of the pouch. A new surgical approach and the role of dynamic defecography in such patients are highlighted. METHODS: Five patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis were assessed clinically and with dynamic defecography before and after reoperation. RESULTS: In one patient an extensive approach with complete pouch mobilization, stenoplasty of a pouch outlet stenosis, shortening of the rectal remnant, and renewed pouch-anal anastomosis were needed; in three patients, a long and angulated efferent limb was shortened by transabdominal techniques (stenoplasty or a newly developed technique with a linear stapler), and in one patient a pouch inlet stenosis was corrected. In all patients, impaired emptying was cured; in all patients, obstructive abdominal pain improved considerably. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic defecography is indispensable for tailoring surgical treatment. Effective transabdominal shortening of the efferent limb can be performed with the aid of a linear stapler.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Defecography and anorectal manometry.

In a prospective study anorectal manometry was performed in 160 consecutive patients who were referred for defecography. Leakage of contrast material of standardized viscosity, the anorectal angle (ARA), anal resting pressure (Pr) and squeeze pressure (Ps) were measured and analyzed. This was done to investigate the role of ARA on rectal continence during defecography and to investigate whether relevant findings of manometry can be predicted from findings at defecography as part of the diagnostic work-up in selected patients in order to avoid manometry in these patients. The ARA was of significance in maintaining rectal continence for the contrast medium (P = 0.008). With increasing leakage, Pr and Ps decreased significantly (P less than 0.001). In all fully incontinent patients (n = 36) Ps was distinctly below normal values. Manometry can be avoided in these patients if the level of Pr is not important for therapeutic strategy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

MR defecography: depiction of anorectal anatomy and pathology.

With the advent of open-configuration MR systems, enabling image acquisition in a vertical patient position, MR defecography has become possible. MR defecography permits analyses of the anorectal angle, opening of the anal canal, functioning of the puborectal muscle, and descent of the pelvic floor during defecation. The rectal walls are well delineated on the GRE images, permitting visualization of intussusceptions and rectoceles. The concomitant depiction of structures surrounding the anorectal canal is helpful in the assessment of a spastic pelvic floor and the descending perineum syndrome and in permitting visualization of enteroceles. Dynamic MR defecography is an attractive alternative in the evaluation of defecation disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Anorectal function in patients with defecation disorders and asymptomatic subjects: evaluation with defecography.

A controlled radiologic study of anorectal function was performed with the use of defecography in 19 patients with constipation and 13 with incontinence. All patients were age and sex matched to control subjects who were referred for barium enema study and who had no defecation disorder. There were no statistically significant differences between either patient group and the control group in anorectal angle and excursion of the anorectal junction. In the 32 patients and 155 consecutive patients referred for defecography because of a variety of defecation disturbances, approximately twice as many rectal wall abnormalities were seen compared with findings in the control group. These findings included intussusception, rectal prolapse, rectocele, mucosal prolapse, spastic pelvic floor, descending perineum syndrome, and solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. In conclusion, the main role of defecography is to document rectal wall changes during defecation straining as possible causes of evacuation difficulties. Clinical symptoms should also be taken into account when treatment is contemplated.

Anal Canal↗