[Anal endoluminal endosonography in the study of fecal incontinence].
OBJECTIVE
Classically, clinical assessment of faecal incontinence is supported by anal manometry and electromyography. Recently, anal endosonography has appeared to be the ideal method evaluating anatomically both the internal and external anal sphincter. In this paper, our experience in evaluating faecal incontinence by anal endosonography is presented.


METHODS
34 patients (26 female, 4 male; mean age, 40) complaining of faecal incontinence were analysed by traditional anorectal physiologic tests as well as by anal endosonography. Previously, patients were clinically grouped in: group 1, post-delivery, 18 cases; group 2, post-surgery, 6 cases; group 3, "idiopathic", 10 cases.


RESULTS
Results of anal physiologic test showed significant differences between group 1 and the rest of patients. All patients complaining of post-surgery incontinence were found to have sphincter disruptions. 2 out of 10 patients from group 3 presented unsuspected lesions. Nearly 40% of women with post-delivery incontinence had normal anal muscles.


CONCLUSIONS
Anal endosonography is a imaging technique that permits fully vision of the sphincters. It showed to be a great help in cases of faecal incontinence particularly in the decision-making of surgical approach.
Ramírez Rodríguez
J M
JM
Departmento de Cirugía Colorrectal, Hospital Universitario John Radcliffe, Oxford, Reino Unido.
Mortensen
N J
NJ
Smilgin Humphreys
M M
MM
D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography
La endoecografía anal en el estudio de la incontinencia fecal.