[Useful and less useful routine anorectal physiological tests in patients with functional anorectal disorders].
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UNLABELLED: With the introduction of spiral scanning then multidetector technologies, the accuracy for diagnosing digestive tract diseases with CT has been highly improved, and CT is used more and more in the evaluation of patients with suspected gastrointestinal disorders. CT is able to demonstrate both the intramural and the extramural components of the disease, and has a major role in the preoperative staging and the follow-up. Improvements of CT protocols, such as CT-enteroclysis, or multiplanar 2D and 3D post-processing, including now techniques for "virtual endoscopy", lead to discuss new indications in which CT could now compete with conventional X-rays series and videoendoscopy. This precise study of the digestive wall, the peridigestive fat, the digestive tract blood supply, may be performed by MRI, under the condition of access to high level machines and standardized protocols. MR-enteroclysis and MR-virtual colonoscopy could be performed with much lower risk for the patient, in terms of radiation dose or contrast adverse effects. Endoluminal coils should give to MR an ultra-high resolution for analysing the different layers of the gastrointestinal wall. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: to review how to perform CT and MRI protocols for digestive tract imaging, to recognize the CT and MR patterns of the main digestive tract diseases, to discuss the value, limits and role of CT and MR in digestive tract diseases, to discuss the potential role of CT and MR new technological developments for digestive tract imaging in the upcoming future. CONCLUSION: CT is nowadays a modality of choice for digestive imaging. Improvements in technologies and indications, the necessary discussion of the risks and benefits for the patient should let the radiologists consider MRI in gastrointestinal disorders as an important part of the routine activity in clinical MRI.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvic floor specifically to evaluate causes of fecal incontinence is relatively new. Along with physical examination and endoanal ultrasound, recently developed MRI techniques can be used to more accurately diagnose and characterize pelvic floor disorders leading to fecal incontinence. All three compartments of the pelvic floor can be evaluated simultaneously using MRI. During an MRI study, images are rapidly obtained in the sagittal plane at rest and during strain, and in the axial plane at rest. In symptomatic patients, abnormal descent of pelvic viscera is indicative of muscle or fascial weakness. Abnormal descent of pelvic viscera is readily detected on sagittal MR images. Muscle and sphincter tears can also be visualized, although most fascial damage is incurred secondarily. The detailed information gained from an MRI can be used to plan optimal treatment, surgical or otherwise.
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The genesis of chronic constipation in children remains the subject of discussion so far. A programme for examining patients with this condition has not been fully developed. X-ray studies of more than 300 children with chronic constipation from different age groups established that colonoproctodefecography was the most informative technique. The authors revealed that intestinal transit suffered slightly impaired and the cause of chronic constipation was impaired defecation due to the asynergy of the structures of the pelvic bottom. Dysfunction of the muscular structures of the pelvic diaphragm manifested itself as three main variants and their combinations.
The SECCA (Curon Medical, Freemont, CA USA) device delivers temperature-controlled radiofrequency (RF) energy to the anorectal junction to treat fecal incontinence. The procedure is performed as an outpatient either in the endoscopy suite or ambulatory surgery center. After appropriate local block, the SECCA device is then inserted into the anal canal and submucosal RF energy is delivered circumferentially to the anorectal junction. A pilot trial in Mexico on 10 patients demonstrated a significant improvement in Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence Scores (CCF-FIS) from a pre-treatment score of 13.5 to 12-month post-treatment score of 3.8. These patients continued to have significantly improved continence with an average CCF-FIS of 7.3 at 24-month follow up. A multi-center, institutional review board-approved, open label, prospective trial that evaluates the efficacy and safety of the SECCA procedure has been completed in the United States (U.S.). Five centers prospectively enrolled 50 patients with greater than or equal to 3 months of weekly fecal incontinence who also had failed either medical or surgical interventions. Patients underwent anoscopy, anorectal manometry (ARM), endoanal ultrasound (EAUS), and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) at 0 and 6 months. The CCF-FIS scale, fecal incontinence-related quality of life score (FIQL), and SF-36 were administered at 0, 3, and 6 months. After conscious sedation and local perianal block, RF energy was delivered by way of the SECCA device. At 6 months, the mean CCF-FI score improved significantly (14.5 to 11.1, p<0.0001). All FIQL parameters improved: lifestyle (2.5 to 3.1, p=0.0001), coping (1.9 to 2.3, p=0.005), depression (2.8 to 3.1, p=0.0008), embarrassment (1.9 to 2.5, p<0.0001). Sixty-percent (n=30) of the patients improved after therapy, with 70% resolution of their symptoms. The SF-36 mental composite score (45.3 to 48.3, p=0.06) and social function sub-score (64.0 to 77.3, p=0.003) improved. No changes occurred in ARM, EAUS, or PNTML. Two major complications included two mucosal ulcerations. From these data, the authors concluded that RF energy delivered for treatment of FI safely improves CCF-FIS, FIQL, and quality of life.
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BACKGROUND/AIMS: To compare the functional outcome of ultra-low anterior resection for rectal cancer with colonic J-pouch reconstruction with that of straight reconstruction. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-three patients who underwent ultra-low anterior resection with or without J-pouch reconstruction underwent bowel transit study, videodefecography, and answered a questionnaire survey 4 months and 1 year after surgery. Eleven healthy subjects underwent similar testing as controls. RESULTS: Patients with a J-pouch had less frequent stools than patients with straight reconstruction 4 months after surgery (p<0.05), but the two groups were similar at 1 year. Bowel transit time was similar at both study points. The evacuation ratio was higher after J-pouch than straight reconstruction 4 months after surgery (p<0.05). However, the ratio improved in the straight group, and no difference existed at 1 year. Colonic contraction was seen only near the anastomosis 4 months after surgery, but the contraction proximal to the anastomosis improved over the next 8 months. CONCLUSIONS: J-pouch reconstruction facilitates evacuation by improving the evacuation ratio. Although straight anastomosis caused excessive stool frequency 4 months after surgery, colonic function continued to improve and was comparable with J-pouch and straight reconstruction 1 year after surgery because the contraction ratio proximal to the anastomosis improved.
AIM: Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) represents a very common clinical problem. The aim of this study was to analyze the cinedefecographic findings in a group of patients with ODS. METHODS: All patients with ODS were prospectively introduced into a database and underwent cinedefecography (CD). The grade of the syndrome was assessed by a new ODS score. The validated Agachan-Wexner Constipation Score System was also used. Four lateral films were taken during resting, squeeze, pushing and postevacuation phases and puborectalis length (PRL), anorectal angle (ARA) and perineal descent were recorded and analysed. The presence of an increased fixed perineal descent (FPD) and dynamic perineal descent (DPD), mucosal rectal prolapse (MRP), recto-rectal intussusception (RRI), recto-anal intussusception (RAI), rectocele (RE), enterocele (ET) and sigmoidocele (SG) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Between February 2002 and March 2005, 420 patients, 404 (96.1%) females and 16 (3.8%) males with a mean age of 49+/-7.7 (range, 21-77) years, underwent CD. In 362 (86.2%) patients CD showed a combination of different cinedefecographic findings. RE, FPD and DPD in association with RAI or RRI were contemporary observed in 118 (26%) patients. MRP, RRI, FPD, RAI and RE were observed as singular finding in 21 (5%), 19 (4.5%), 12 (2.8%), 3 (0.7%) and 3 (0.7%) patients, respectively. In 6 (1.4%) patients a paradoxical contraction of the puborectalis muscle was observed. CONCLUSIONS: CD shows that ODS is largely caused by multiple patterns of different abnormalities of the rectum and pelvic floor. Any treatment in symptomatic patients could be designed to treat multiple combinations of different abnormalities.
REPORT STUDY: Defaecography reports from 2816 patients were evaluated. Twenty-three percent of the investigations were considered normal, 31% showed rectal intussusception, 13% rectal prolapse, 27% rectocele, and 19% enterocele. A standardised protocol is suggested to ensure a complete evaluation of defaecography. One hundred and ten reports were unclear and reviewed. The unclear reports usually concerned an unexplained widening of the rectovaginal space, and gave incitement to further studies. TECHNIQUE STUDY: Twelve patients with an unexplained widening of the rectovaginal space at defaecography were investigated using defaecography and peritoneography simultaneously, by us named defaeco-peritoneography. All investigations were carried out without complications. Defaeco-peritoneography proved the unexplained widening to be an extension of the pouch of Douglas, a peritoneocele. UNEXPLAINED WIDENING STUDY: Twenty-two patients with unexplained widening of the rectovaginal space noted at defaecography were studied using defaeco-peritoneography. The outline and movements of the peritoneum in the pelvic cavity could be visualised during the dynamic act of defaecation. The unexplained widening of the rectovaginal space was caused completely by a peritoneocele in 14 patients, partially in 6 patients and 2 remained unexplained. However, only 9 out of 22 widenings were peritoneoceles with an enterocele. Just 11 peritoneoceles only contained fluid. Three types of peritoneocele were demonstrated: vaginal, septal, and rectal, with or without enterocele. Combinations of these were also found. RECTAL INTUSSUSCEPTION STUDY: Fifty-seven patients with defaecation disorders were examined using defaeco-peritoneography. Twenty-three patients had rectal intussusception and 7 patients had a rectal prolapse. All these patients had a rectal peritoneocele in the serosal ring-pocket of the rectal intussusception or in the rectal prolapse. Twenty-seven patients had neither rectal intussusception nor rectal prolapse and none of these patients had a rectal peritoneocele. DAILY LIFE STUDY: Twenty-six female patients showing peritoneocele without a contrast-filled rectum at start at defaeco-peritoneography were investigated; 13 of them had enteroceles. Spot radiographs before and after filling the rectum with contrast medium were compared. The peritoneocele disappeared completely in 19 of the patients and was reduced in size in the remaining 7, and the enterocele disappeared completely when the rectum was distended. Defaeco-peritoneography should therefore include a radiograph before the rectum is filled, as it shows the habitual (daily life) anatomy and can disclose pathology as peritoneocele and enterocele. TRANSFORMATION STUDY: Forty-six patients with peritoneocele at defaeco-peritoneography were studied at three different stages during rectal evacuation. At start with contrast-filled rectum, 14 patients had a peritoneocele, and 32 were regarded as normal. At maximum straining, all patients had a peritoneocele and 20 of these were still present after rectal evacuation. The peritoneoceles were largest at straining and rectal types were most common. No enterocele was seen at start. At maximum straining, 21 patients developed an enterocele.
Fifty-nine evacuating proctograms were performed over a 4 month period. We sought to identify how useful this technique is in diagnosing the cause of various anorectal symptoms and indicating which treatment option may be beneficial to the patient. The main reasons for referral were faecal soiling (60%) and obstructed defaecation (47%). Of the proctograms, 90% revealed some pathology. The most common abnormalities detected were rectocele (56%), rectal intussusception (39%), enterocele (19%) and rectal prolapse (12%). Of the patients, 45% were treated with an operation specific to the pathology detected on the proctogram; 29% did not require any active treatment and the remainder were managed with biofeedback conditioning or injection sclerotherapy. Evacuating proctography is of value in providing a diagnosis in patients with anorectal symptoms and thereby allowing specific treatment, operative or nonoperative, to be directed to the underlying pathology.
Problems of continence and defecation are encountered in all facets of medical practice. Yet, the anorectum is cloaked by misunderstanding. Recent research has shed new light on this subject and newer concepts based on systematic investigations have paved the way to a rational approach. Motor function of the anorectum can now be delineated by manometry, electromyography and nerve stimulation. More complex functions like the coordination for continence and defecation are measured using other studies including defecating proctography, scintigraphic balloon topography, scintigraphic evacuation and colonic transit. The amalgamation of data from these studies have led to a logical sequence for the maintenance of normal continence and defecation that is developed in this manuscript based on our current understanding of anorectal motility and physiology. This allows patients who are resistant to straightforward diagnosis to be selected for specialised tests resulting in categorisation and a rational management strategy for their problems.
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INTRODUCTION: Pelvic floor dyssynergia is included pathophysiologically in the functional dyschezia group. It is characterized by the paradoxical contraction or lack of relaxation of the puborectal muscle and/or external sphincter during defecation, with consequent functional outlet obstruction. The diagnosis is not always easy because there is no really specific test, nor any diagnostic gold standard; also, many pathophysiologic and epidemiologic findings are still unknown. We tried to define the diagnostic criteria of this condition with the statistical analysis of the main defecographic parameters and to assess the radiologic correlation between functional forms and "mixed" forms, that is those associated with other anorectal disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed 121 videoproctographic examinations performed January, 1995, to December, 1996, in patients with clinical and instrumental signs suggestive of pelvic floor dyssynergia and compared the findings with those of a control group of 20 patients with no defecation disorders. We also assessed the frequency of the major anorectal disorders associated with pelvic floor dyssynergia relative to the pure form. RESULTS: Initiation time (11 s versus 1 s; p < .05), evacuation time (47 s versus 10 s; p < .01) and the rate of residual contrast material (57 versus 7) were on average greater in dyssynergia patients. These parameters provide important information on the degree and rapidity of rectal voiding. 81% of our dyssynergia patients had rectal voiding time > 30 s, with final residual contrast material 1/3 to 2/3 of the initial volume. Posterior anorectal angle measurements showed significant differences on strain and evacuation and in anorectal angle excursion at rest/on evacuation (4 +/- 17 degrees; p < .01). Anorectal angle excursion < 15 degrees or its paradoxical reduction was associated with anal diameter < 12 mm during voiding in 85% of cases. We subdivided our population into 4 groups: group A (15 patients: median age: 38 +/- 14 years) with dyssynergia only: group B (22 patients; median age: 54 +/- 23 years) with dyssynergia associated with a functional megarectum); group C (66 patients; median age: 52 +/- 14 years) with mixed pathophysiological patterns such as megarectum, rectocele, intrarectal intussusception, mucosal prolapse and perineal descent; group D (18 patients; median age: 52 +/- 16 years) with the same characteristics as in group C but also with hemorrhoids and anal fissures. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: At first (digital radiography) and second level (videoproctography), the diagnosis of pelvic floor dyssynergia is based manly on dynamic parameters (initiation and evacuation times) correlated with the residual contrast agent volume. At baseline, the diagnosis is based on the reduced/no excursion of the anorectal angle between rest and evacuation, together with a narrowed anal eanal. The rate of pure pelvic floor dyssynergia was lower (12.4%) than that of the pathophysiologically mixed patterns and the median age of this group of patients was 38 +/- 14 years, which is statistically lower than that of the other groups (52 +/- 14). Comparing the frequency of purely functional forms in the age range < 40 years, we observed a statistically significant difference (p < .001), which suggests that this disorder is always the first cause of the outlet obstruction syndrome.
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