Endo-anal ultrasound versus endo-anal magnetic resonance imaging for the depiction of external anal sphincter pathology in patients with faecal incontinence: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the endo-anal ultrasound (EAUS) versus endo-anal magnetic resonance imaging (EAMRI) in the diagnosis of external anal sphincter defects (EAS) in patients with faecal incontinence (FI).


METHODS
Studies on EAUS and EAMRI were selected and analyzed to generate summative data.


RESULTS
Five studies encompassing 347 patients of FI were included in this review. Three studies validated the results of EAUS and EAMRI by surgery (61 patients). In the fixed effect model, EAUS was superior to EAMRI in the depiction of EAS defects. On combined analysis of five studies using fixed effect model, both EAUS and EAMRI were equally effective. However, there was a significant heterogeneity between studies.


CONCLUSIONS
EAUS and EAMRI are comparable in the diagnosis of EAS defects in patients of FI. Since EAUS is an economical, quicker and easily available imaging modality, it may be used a preferable investigation for the diagnosis of EAS defects in patients of FI.
Sajid
M S
MS
Worthing Hospital, West Sussex BN11 2DH, UK. surgeon1wrh@hotmail.com
Khatri
K
K
Siddiqui
M R S
MR
Baig
M K
MK
D001003:Anal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D019160:Endosonography; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging