title: Anal endosonography and its role in assessing the incontinent patient.
abstract: Anal endosonography is now recognized as an important investigation in the assessment of faecal incontinence. The endosonographer needs to be aware that the anatomy of the anal sphincter is complex and therefore there can be pitfalls in the interpretation of images. The findings have clinical implications on subsequent management and can contribute to prognosticating outcome. However, anal endosonography has a complementary role and other investigations, such as anal manometry, should be performed before intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mayday University Hospital, London Road, Croydon, Surrey CR7 7YE, UK.
authors.forename: Ranee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thakar
authors.forename: Abdul H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Sultan
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D001004:Anus Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019160:Endosonography / Q000379:methods*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans