Dynamic Anal Endosonography May Challenge Defecography for Assessing Dynamic Anorectal Disorders: Results of a Prospective Pilot Study

Abstract

DAE is a new imaging approach to anorectal dynamic disorders, providing a highly reliable means of diagnosing perineal insufficiency as well as rectocele. DAE should be substituted for previous methods since it makes it possible at the same time to assess the anal sphincters and to avoid pelvic irradiation.

Influence of age, mode of delivery and parity on the prevalence of posterior pelvic floor dysfunctions

“…Because of differences in measurement techniques and anatomical landmarks, some authors describe rectocele as a descent of the rectal ampulla, quantified by correlation with the inferoposterior margin of the symphysis pubis (8,12) , while others consider rectocele a herniation of the anterior rectal wall into the posterior vagina, the size of which determines the grade of rectocele (2,3,9,13,15,17,19,20,23,27,29) . Using 3-DAUS, we identified isolated and associated posterior dysfunctions and determined rectocele size.…”

“…Different techniques and imaging methods have been used to evaluate pelvic floor dysfunctions in the anterior, middle and posterior compartment (2,3,7,8,9,12,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,24,25,27) . Because of differences in measurement techniques and anatomical landmarks, some authors describe rectocele as a descent of the rectal ampulla, quantified by correlation with the inferoposterior margin of the symphysis pubis (8,12) , while others consider rectocele a herniation of the anterior rectal wall into the posterior vagina, the size of which determines the grade of rectocele (2,3,9,13,15,17,19,20,23,27,29) .…”

“…However, the relation between vaginal delivery, age (post-menopause) and posterior pelvic floor dysfunctions involving obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) is still a matter of controversy (8,14,17,19,27) . Pelvic floor dysfunctions are best evaluated with dynamic techniques such as magnetic resonance (9,15) and ultrasonography using endorectal (2,18,19) or transperineal (3,7) probes to view the anal canal and pelvis anatomy. Thus, echodefecography, a 3-D dynamic anorectal ultrasonography technique recently developed by Murad-Regadas et al (19) , may be used to evaluate voiding disorders affecting the posterior compartment (rectocele, rectal intussusception, anismus)…”

Is dynamic two-dimensional anal ultrasonography useful in the assessment of anismus? A comparison with manometry

“…It is characterized by symptoms of obstructed defecation associated with paradoxical contraction of the pelvic floor muscles (25) . Dynamic endosonography has become an important diagnostic tool in anismus patients as it allows to visualize the anal sphincters both at rest and during straining (1,2,7,20,21,22,23,24,29) . Recently, Murad-Regadas et al (23) described a novel technique for the assessment of anismus using dynamic two-dimensional anal ultrasonography (2D-DAUS) with satisfactory results when compared to dynamic threedimensional anal ultrasonography (3D-DAUS).…”

“…Once identified and quantified, anatomical and functional changes can be correlated with clinical symptoms and proctological findings (6) . Defecography, manometry, electromyography and, more recently, dynamic magnetic resonance scanning and dynamic anorectal ultrasonography, have all been used to diagnose patients with pelvic floor dysfunctions (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,26,27,28,29,30) . Advances in ultrasound technology includes the development of the three-dimensional (3D) anorectal transducer and allows to clearly visualize the anatomic configuration of the anal canal in multiplane images (27) but the twodimensional (2D) ultrasound can be useful in the diagnosis of anorectal disease (7,10,24) .…”