title: High-resolution anorectal manometry and dynamic pelvic magnetic resonance imaging are complementary technologies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dynamic pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (DP-MRI) offers a comprehensive evaluation of pelvic organ structure in addition to functional information regarding evacuation. Opportunity to apply this technology can be limited due to regional lack of availability. Ideally, clues from standard anorectal testing could predict abnormalities on DP-MRI, leading to its efficient use. The aim of this study is to determine whether high-resolution anorectal manometry (HR-ARM) correlates with findings on DP-MRI.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study of HR-ARM performed on patients with constipation who also underwent DP-MRI. Studies were reviewed for significant findings including posterior pelvic organ prolapse, rectocele > 3 cm, rectal intussusception, and anorectal angle. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient, Student's t-test, and Fisher's exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three patients undergoing HR-ARM (age range 25-78) also underwent DP-MRI. All were female; 76% were Caucasian. Twenty had significant structural findings: small pelvic prolapse (n = 2), moderate pelvic prolapse (n = 10), large pelvic prolapse (n = 9), rectocele (n = 8), or rectal intussusception (n = 3). Only intrarectal pressure on HR-ARM weakly correlated with size of rectocele (r = 0.46; P = 0.03) and degree of pelvic organ prolapse (r = 0.48; P = 0.02). The remainder of the HR-ARM parameters did not significantly correlate with DP-MRI findings. Patients with dyssynergy were not more likely to have rectoceles > 3 cm (44.4% versus 35.7%; P = 0.5) or large prolapses (44.4% versus 50%, P = 1.0), compared with those without dyssynergy, on HR-ARM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We were unable to find a correlation between HR-ARM findings and structural pelvic defects on DP-MRI. Therefore, these two technologies provide complementary information in the evaluation of defecatory dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jodorkovsky
authors.forename: Katarzyna J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Macura
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Gearhart
authors.forename: Kerry B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Dunbar
authors.forename: Ellen M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: John O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000473:pathology; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000175:diagnosis; D020047:Rectocele / Q000175:diagnosis; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: advanced technology; applied therapeutics; colonic disorders; colonic motility; gastroenterology; magnetic resonance imaging