title: Unwanted anal penetration as a physical cause of faecal incontinence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate sexual abuse as a cause of faecal incontinence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients (two men and five women) with a history of sexual abuse, including anal penetration, and faecal incontinence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anorectal physiological techniques and anal endosonography were used for patient assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All seven patients had evidence of internal sphincter disruption and three had additional external anal sphincter dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unwanted anal penetration can cause permanent structural anal sphincter damage.
authors.affiliation: St Mark's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kamm
authors.forename: C I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Bartram
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000293:injuries*; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior