title: [Computed tomography and anorectal malformations. Their postoperative evaluation].
abstract: In spite of great progress in surgical treatment of anorectal malformations, fecal incontinence is still, in variable degrees, a frequent and unpleasant postsurgical sequela. The most frequent causes of incontinence are: i) the incorrect placement of the pulled-through colon in the levator ani and sphincteric muscular complex during abdominoperineal surgical procedures; ii) the poor development of sphincteric musculature; iii) the associated sacral anomalies. Postoperative CT helps to evaluate all the above-mentioned conditions, in view of possible new surgical procedure for improving continence (besides postoperative CT can help in choosing the more suitable surgical technique). Nine patients, aged 3 to 13 years, (2 with good continence and 7 with various degrees of incontinence), were studied with pelvic postoperative CT. In the cases (2) with good continence the CT picture was: good development of sphincteric musculature and neo-anorectum correctly placed into sphincteric musculature; in the cases (3) with low degree of continence: neoanorectum correctly placed, but hypoplastic puborectal muscle; in the cases (4) with complete incontinence, neoanorectum incorrectly placed and poor development of sphincteric musculature. A further posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (according Peña) is only suitable in the incontinence cases with: i) neoanorectum seriously misplaced; ii) good development of sphincteric musculature; iii) absence of sacral anomalies. Postoperative CT is a valid mean for demonstrating all the above-mentioned conditions and for choosing the best surgical technique in each case.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Radiologia, Diagnostica per Immagini, Istituto G, Gaslini, Genova-Quarto GE.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fondelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taccone
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martucciello
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dodero
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caffarena
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D001006:Anus, Imperforate / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012007:Rectum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
vernacular_title: Tomografia computerizzata e malformazioni anorettali. Valutazione postoperatoria.