Faecal incontinence with transitory absence of anal contraction in two sexually or physically abused women.
OBJECTIVE
To report two cases of faecal incontinence caused by transitory absence of anal voluntary contraction without anal anomalies.


METHODS
Two women referred to our gastroenterology department with faecal incontinence. One patient had been sexually abused by her father; the other had been physically abused by her husband.


RESULTS
Clinical and manometric anal contraction was absent despite normal anal endosonography and normal electrophysiological perineal study. Anal contraction was completely normalized after biofeedback, and the patients recovered from the faecal incontinence.


CONCLUSIONS
Transitory absence of anal contraction is very uncommon as the origin of faecal incontinence. It was observed in two abused women.
Berkelmans
I
I
Groupe de Biochimie et de Physiopathologie Digestive et Nutritionnelle, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Rouen, France.
Leroi
A M
AM
Weber
J
J
Denis
P
P
D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D001004:Anus Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004576:Electromyography; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D010502:Perineum / Q000503:physiopathology; D017406:Sexual Harassment; D013179:Spouse Abuse; D014463:Ultrasonography