Dynamic imaging of posterior compartment pelvic floor dysfunction by evacuation proctography: techniques, indications, results and limitations

Total pelvic floor ultrasound can reliably predict long-term treatment outcomes for patients with pelvic floor defaecatory dysfunction

AIM

Integrated total pelvic floor ultrasound (TPFUS) may provide an alternative to defaecation proctography (DP) in decision making and treatment planning for patients with pelvic floor defaecatory dysfunction (PFDD). This study evaluates the use of TPUS as a screening tool, and its likelihood to predict long-term treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Two blinded clinicians reviewed 100 women who had historically presented to a tertiary referral colorectal unit with PFDD from October 2014 to April 2015. The clinical history of the patients together with TPFUS or DP results were used to decide on main impression, treatment plan, likelihood of surgery and certainty of plan. These were compared to the actual treatment received six months later and again after a median follow-up of 68 months (range 48-84).

RESULTS

A total of 82 patients were treated with biofeedback only and 18 also underwent surgery. There were no complications in any of the patients who had surgery. When compared with the actual treatment received, 99 of the 100 of the TPFUS group would have been treated appropriately. The number of false positives for surgical treatment was lower with TPFUS compared to DP. Clinician confidence in the overall decision was significantly higher after review with DP.

CONCLUSIONS

TPFUS is a reliable assessment tool for PFDD. It can identify patients who can go straight to biofeedback and is just as good as DP at predicting likelihood of surgery. We might be able to rely on TPFUS more significantly in the future, even for surgical planning.

X-ray video defaecography is superior to magnetic resonance defaecography in the imaging of defaecation disorders

AIM

The aim of this work was to study the technical success and diagnostic capability of magnetic resonance defaecography (MRD) compared with video defaecography (VD).

METHOD

Sixty four women with defaecation disorders underwent both MRD and x-ray VD over 1 year. The assessment by two radiologists in consensus was retrospective and blinded. The technical success of straining and evacuation was evaluated subjectively. The presence of enterocele, intussusception, rectocele and dyssynergic defaecation was analysed according to established criteria, with VD as the standard of reference.

RESULTS

It was found that 62/64 (96.9%) VD studies were technically fully diagnostic compared with 29/64 (45.3%) for MRD. The number of partially diagnostic studies was 1/64 (1.6%) for VD versus 21/64 (32.8%) for MRD, with 1/64 (1.6%) (VD) and 14/64 (21.9%) (MRD) being nondiagnostic. Thirty enteroceles were observed by VD compared with seven in MRD with moderate agreement (κ = 0.41). Altogether 53 intussusceptions were observed by VD compared with 27 by MRD with poor agreement (κ = -0.10 and κ = 0.02 in recto-rectal and recto-anal intussusception, respectively). Moderate agreement (κ = 0.47) was observed in diagnosing rectocele, with 47 cases by VD and 29 by MRD. Dyssynergic defaecation was observed in three patients by VD and in 11 patients by MRD, with slight agreement (κ = 0.14).

CONCLUSION

The technical success and diagnostic capabilities of VD are better than those of MRD. VD remains the method of choice in the imaging of defaecation disorders.

Defecatory Dysfunction

Normal defecation is a complex and coordinated physiologic process that involves the rectum, anus, anal sphincter complex, and pelvic floor muscles. Any alteration of this process can be considered defecatory dysfunction, a term that covers a broad range of disorders, including slow-transit constipation, functional constipation, and functional or anatomic outlet obstruction. Evaluation should include history, physical, and consideration of additional testing such as colonoscopy, colonic transit studies, defecography, and/or anorectal manometry. Depending on the etiology, management options can include conservative measures such as dietary or lifestyle modifications, medications, pelvic floor physical therapy, or surgical repair.

Dynamic fluoroscopic defecography: updates on rationale, technique, and interpretation from the Society of Abdominal Radiology Pelvic Floor Disease Focus Panel

Whether used as the primary diagnostic test or reserved as a problem-solving examination, fluoroscopic defecography (FD) remains an important tool in the workup and treatment of defecatory disorders. FD is a well-established, simple, and rapid examination that most closely resembles the actual process and position that a patient uses to enable defecation and provides both qualitative and quantitative information on the defecatory process. FD is indicated when re-creating the act of defecation is necessary, especially in patients with symptoms of obstructed defecation and where symptoms do not correlate with prior examinations such as MRI. Also, FD may help the patient understand the severity of their condition, better informing them of the structural and functional pathology, and aid in discussions with the surgeon regarding plans for treating their complex pelvic floor and defecatory problems. This review provides an up-to-date, comprehensive summary of FD and describes the indications for, techniques of, and common pathology encountered.

Diffusion tensor-based fiber tracking of the male urethral sphincter complex in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy: a feasibility study

Objectives

To study the diffusion tensor-based fiber tracking feasibility to access the male urethral sphincter complex of patients with prostate cancer undergoing Retzius-sparing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP).

Methods

Twenty-eight patients (median age of 64.5 years old) underwent 3 T multiparametric-MRI of the prostate, including an additional echo-planar diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) sequence, using 15 diffusion-encoding directions and a b value = 600 s/mm². Acquisition parameters, together with patient motion and eddy currents corrections, were evaluated. The proximal and distal sphincters, and membranous urethra were reconstructed using the deterministic fiber assignment by continuous tracking (FACT) algorithm, optimizing fiber tracking parameters. Tract length and density, fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were computed. Regional differences between structures were accessed by ANOVA, or nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis test, and post-hoc tests were employed, respectively, TukeyHSD or Dunn’s.

Results

The structures of the male urethral sphincter complex were clearly depicted by fiber tractography using optimized acquisition and fiber tracking parameters. The use of eddy currents and subject motion corrections did not yield statistically significant differences on the reported DTI metrics. Regional differences were found between all structures studied among patients, suggesting a quantitative differentiation on the structures based on DTI metrics.

Conclusions

The current study demonstrates the technical feasibility of the proposed methodology, to study in a preoperative setting the male urethral sphincter complex of prostate cancer patients candidates for surgical treatment. These findings may play a role on a more accurate prediction of the RS-RARP post-surgical urinary continence recovery rate.

American Urogynecologic Society Best-Practice Statement on Evaluation of Obstructed Defecation

The symptoms of constipation and obstructed defecation are common in women with pelvic floor disorders. Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery specialists evaluate and treat women with these symptoms, with the initial consultation often occurring when a woman has the symptom or sign of posterior compartment pelvic organ prolapse (including rectocele or enterocele) or if a rectocele or enterocele is identified in pelvic imaging. This best-practice statement will review techniques used to evaluate constipation and obstructed defecation, with a special focus on the relationship between obstructed defecation, constipation, and pelvic organ prolapse.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: defecography should be a first-line diagnostic modality in patients with refractory constipation

BACKGROUND

Defecography is considered the reference standard for the assessment of pelvic floor anatomy and function in patients with a refractory evacuation disorder. However, the overlap of radiologically significant findings seen in patients with chronic constipation (CC) and healthy volunteers is poorly defined.

AIM

To systematically review rates of structural and functional abnormalities diagnosed by barium defecography and/or magnetic resonance imaging defecography (MRID) in patients with symptoms of CC and in healthy volunteers.

METHODS

Electronic searches of major databases were performed without date restrictions.

RESULTS

From a total of 1760 records identified, 175 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. 63 studies were included providing data on outcomes of 7519 barium defecographies and 668 MRIDs in patients with CC, and 225 barium defecographies and 50 MRIDs in healthy volunteers. Pathological high-grade (Oxford III and IV) intussuscepta and large (>4 cm) rectoceles were diagnosed in 23.7% (95% CI: 16.8-31.4) and 15.9% (10.4-22.2) of patients, respectively. Enterocele and perineal descent were observed in 16.8% (12.7-21.4) and 44.4% (36.2-52.7) of patients, respectively. Barium defecography detected more intussuscepta than MRID (OR: 1.52 [1.12-2.14]; P = 0.009]). Normative data for both barium defecography and MRID structural and functional parameters were limited, particularly for MRID (only one eligible study).

CONCLUSIONS

Pathological structural abnormalities, as well as functional abnormalities, are common in patients with chronic constipation. Since structural abnormalities cannot be evaluated using nonimaging test modalities (balloon expulsion and anorectal manometry), defecography should be considered the first-line diagnostic test if resources allow.

Does 4D transperineal ultrasound have additional value over 2D transperineal ultrasound for diagnosing posterior pelvic floor disorders in women with obstructed defecation syndrome?

OBJECTIVE

To establish the diagnostic test accuracy of two-dimensional (2D) and four-dimensional (4D) transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) for diagnosis of posterior pelvic floor disorders in women with obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS), in order to assess if 4D ultrasound imaging provides additional value.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study of 121 consecutive women with ODS. Symptoms of ODS and pelvic organ prolapse on clinical examination were assessed using validated methods. All women underwent both 2D- and 4D-TPUS. Imaging analysis was performed by two blinded observers. Posterior pelvic floor disorders were dichotomized into presence or absence, according to predefined cut-off values. In the absence of a reference standard, a composite reference standard was created from a combination of results of evacuation proctography, magnetic resonance imaging and endovaginal ultrasound. Primary outcome measures were diagnostic test characteristics of 2D- and 4D-TPUS for rectocele, enterocele, intussusception and anismus. Secondary outcome measures were interobserver agreement, agreement between the two imaging techniques, and association of severity of ODS symptoms and degree of posterior vaginal wall prolapse with conditions observed on imaging.

RESULTS

For diagnosis of all four posterior pelvic floor disorders, there was no difference in sensitivity or specificity between 2D- and 4D-TPUS (P = 0.131-1.000). Good agreement between 2D- and 4D-TPUS was found for diagnosis of rectocele (κ = 0.675) and moderate agreement for diagnoses of enterocele, intussusception and anismus (κ = 0.465-0.545). There was no difference in rectocele depth measurements between the techniques (19.9 mm for 2D vs 19.0 mm for 4D, P = 0.802). Interobserver agreement was comparable for both techniques, although 2D-TPUS had excellent interobserver agreement for diagnosis of enterocele and rectocele depth measurements, while this was only moderate and good, respectively, for 4D-TPUS. Diagnoses of rectocele and enterocele on both 2D- and 4D-TPUS were significantly associated with degree of posterior vaginal wall prolapse on clinical examination (odds ratio (OR) = 1.89-2.72). The conditions observed using either imaging technique were not associated with severity of ODS symptoms (OR = 0.82-1.13).

CONCLUSIONS

There is no evidence of superiority of 4D ultrasound acquisition to dynamic 2D ultrasound acquisition for the diagnosis of posterior pelvic floor disorders. 2D- and 4D-TPUS could be used interchangeably to screen women with symptoms of ODS. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Dynamic MRI of the pelvic floor: comparison of performance in supine vs left lateral body position

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the performance of MR-defecography (MRD) in lateral body position as an alternative to supine position.

METHODS:

22 consecutive patients (16 females; mean age 51 ± 19.4) with obstructed defecation and 20 healthy volunteers (11 females; mean age 33.4 ± 11.5) underwent MRD in a closed-configuration 3T-MRI in supine and lateral position. MRD included T₂ weighted images at rest and during defecation after filling the rectum with 250 ml water-based gel. Measurements were performed in reference to the pubococcygeal line and grade of evacuation was assessed. Image quality (IQ) was rated on a 5-point-scale (5 = excellent).

RESULTS:

In patients grades of middle and posterior compartment descent were similar in both body positions (p > 0.05). Grades of anterior compartment descent were significantly higher in lateral position (21/22 vs 17/22 patients with normal or small descent, p < 0.034). In volunteers grades of descent were similar for all compartments in supine and lateral position (p > 0.05). When attempting to defecate in supine position 6/22 (27%) patients showed no evacuation, while in lateral position only 3/22 (14%) were not able to evacuate. IQ in patients was equal at rest (4.4 ± 0.5 and 4.7 ± 0.6, p > 0.05) and slightly better in supine compared to the lateral position during defecation (4.5 ± 0.4 vs 3.9 ± 0.9, p < 0.017). IQ in volunteers was equal in supine and lateral position (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

In lateral position, more patients were able to evacuate with similar grades of pelvic floor descent compared to supine position. MRD in lateral position may be a valuable alternative for patients unable to defecate in supine position.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:

In lateral position, more patients were able to evacuate during MRD. MRD in lateral position may be an alternative for patients unable to defecate in supine position.

Integrated total pelvic floor ultrasound in pelvic floor defaecatory dysfunction

AIM

Imaging for pelvic floor defaecatory dysfunction includes defaecation proctography. Integrated total pelvic floor ultrasound (transvaginal, transperineal, endoanal) may be an alternative. This study assesses ultrasound accuracy for the detection of rectocele, intussusception, enterocele and dyssynergy compared with defaecation proctography, and determines if ultrasound can predict symptoms and findings on proctography. Treatment is examined.

METHOD

Images of 323 women who underwent integrated total pelvic floor ultrasound and defaecation proctography between 2011 and 2014 were blindly reviewed. The size and grade of rectocele, enterocele, intussusception and dyssynergy were noted on both, using proctography as the gold standard. Barium trapping in a rectocele or a functionally significant enterocele was noted on proctography. Demographics and Obstructive Defaecation Symptom scores were collated.

RESULTS

The positive predictive value of ultrasound was 73% for rectocele, 79% for intussusception and 91% for enterocele. The negative predictive value for dyssynergy was 99%. Agreement was moderate for rectocele and intussusception, good for enterocele and fair for dyssynergy. The majority of rectoceles that required surgery (59/61) and caused barium trapping (85/89) were detected on ultrasound. A rectocele seen on both transvaginal and transperineal scanning was more likely to require surgery than if seen with only one mode (P = 0.0001). If there was intussusception on ultrasound the patient was more likely to have surgery (P = 0.03). An enterocele visualized on ultrasound was likely to be functionally significant on proctography (P = 0.02). There was, however, no association between findings on imaging and symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Integrated total pelvic floor ultrasound provides a useful screening tool for women with defaecatory dysfunction such that defaecatory imaging can avoided in some.

Methods of Evaluation of Anorectal Causes of Obstructed Defecation

Obstructed defecation is a complex disorder that results in impaired propagation of stool from the rectum. It is one of the major subtypes of functional constipation and can be secondary to either functional or anatomic etiologies. Patients with obstructed defecation typically present with symptoms of abdominal discomfort, a sensation of incomplete evacuation and rectal obstruction, passage of hard stools, the need for rectal or vaginal digitation, excessive straining, and reduced stool frequency. Evaluation of obstructed defecation is multimodal, starting with a thorough history and physical examination with focus on the abdominal, perineal, and rectal examination. Additional modalities to elicit the diagnosis of obstructed defecation include proctoscopy, colonic transit time studies, anorectal manometry, a rectal balloon expulsion test, defecography, electromyography, and ultrasound. The results from these studies should be taken in the context of each patient's clinical situation, as there is no single criterion standard for the diagnosis of obstructed defecation. Surgery is typically a last resort for these patients and the majority of patients will have good symptomatic management with diet and lifestyle changes. Patients who are found to have functional mechanisms behind their obstructed defecation also benefit from pelvic floor exercises and biofeedback therapy.

Advances in imaging diagnosis of rectocele

Rectocele is one of the common manifestations of outlet obstructive constipation. There are several imaging methods for evaluating rectocele including conventional defecography, dynamic nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) defecography and pelvic floor ultrasonography. These diagnostic techniques can identify the degree of rectocele and provide evidence for treatment. Defecography is still considered the gold standard for evaluating rectocele and guiding the operation, but it exposes patients to radiation. MRI defecography has the advantages of multi-dimensional imaging, excellent soft-tissue contrast and no radiation, and has broad prospects in the future, but it is expensive nowadays and has an unphysiological defecation way. Pelvic floor ultrasonography, especially endoanal and transperineal techniques, is able to identify all dysfunctions of the posterior pelvic floor compartment without radiation, but needs further studies.

Conventional videodefecography: Pathologic findings according to gender and age

OBJECTIVES

To review the most common disorders depicted with conventional videodefecography, and to compare the defecographic abnormalities between symptomatic patients according to their gender and age.

METHODS

Conventional videodefecography studies of 300 patients (24 men, 266 women; mean age - 57.7) performed in a 32-month period were reviewed for the following parameters: anorectal angle, movement of the pelvic floor, intussusceptions, incontinence and rectocele. The results were analyzed using the chi-square test.

RESULTS

Normal findings were observed in 16.7% men and 7.5% women. In women, the most frequent pathological findings were rectocele (62%), descending perineum syndrome (42.8%), intussusceptions (33.8%), incontinence (10.5%), dyskinetic puborectalis syndrome (9.4%) and rectal prolapse (4.5%); in men the most frequent pathology was the dyskinetic puborectalis syndrome (37.5%). This syndrome is more likely in men than in women (p = 0.01; OR 5.78); descending perineum syndrome (p = 0.027; OR 2.8) is more likely to occur in women. Women with perineal descent younger than 50 years frequently present an increased descent during evacuation (81.8%), while those older than 50 years already have a low pelvic floor during rest (60.3%) (p < 0.001; OR 6.8), with little change in evacuation.

CONCLUSION

Videodefecographic findings vary with age and gender.

Evacuation proctography: a reappraisal of normal variability

AIM

Interpretation of evacuation proctography (EP) images is reliant on robust normative data. Previous studies of EP in asymptomatic subjects have been methodologically limited. The aim of this study was to provide parameters of normality for both genders using EP.

METHOD

Evacuation proctography was prospectively performed on 46 healthy volunteers (28 women). Proctograms were independently analysed by two reviewers. All established and some new variables of defaecatory structure and function were assessed objectively: anorectal dimensions; anorectal angle changes; evacuation time; percentage contrast evacuated; and incidence of rectal wall morphological 'abnormalities'.

RESULTS

Normal ranges were calculated for all main variables. Mean end-evacuation time was 88 s (95% CI: 63-113) in male subjects and 128 s (95% CI: 98-158) in female subjects; percentage contrast evacuated was 71% (95% CI: 63-80) in male subjects and 65% (95% CI: 58-72) in female subjects. Twenty-six (93%) of 28 female subjects had a rectocoele with a mean depth of 2.5 cm (upper limit = 3.9 cm). Recto-rectal intussusception was found in nine subjects (approximately 20% of both genders); however, recto-anal intussusception was not observed. Only rectal diameter differed significantly between genders. Qualitatively, three patterns of evacuation were present.

CONCLUSION

This study defines normal ranges for anorectal dimensions and parameters of emptying, as well as the incidence and characteristics of rectal-wall 'abnormalities' observed or derived from EP. These ranges can be applied clinically for subsequent disease comparison.

Comparison between dynamic cystocolpoproctography and dynamic pelvic floor MRI: pros and cons: which is the "functional" examination for anorectal and pelvic floor dysfunction?

"Functional" imaging of anorectal and pelvic floor dysfunction has assumed an important role in the diagnosis and management of these disorders. Although defecography has been widely practiced for decades to evaluate the dynamics of rectal emptying, debate concerning its clinical relevance, how it should be done and interpreted continues. Due to the recognition of the association of defecatory disorders with pelvic organ prolapse in women, the need to evaluate the pelvic floor as a unit has arisen. To meet this need, defecography has been extended to include not only evaluation of defecation disorders but also the rest of the pelvic floor by opacifying the small bowel, vagina, and the urinary bladder. The term "dynamic cystocolpoproctography" (DCP) has been appropriately applied to this examination. Rectal emptying performed with DCP provides the maximum stress to the pelvic floor resulting in complete levator ani relaxation. In addition to diagnosing defecatory disorders, this method of examination demonstrates maximum pelvic organ descent and provides organ-specific quantification of organ prolapse, information that is only inferred by means of physical examination. It has been found to be of clinical value in patients with defecation disorders and the diagnosis of associated prolapse in other compartments that are frequently unrecognized by history taking and the limitations of physical examination. Pelvic floor anatomy is complex and DCP does not show the anatomical details pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides. Technical advances allowing acquisition of dynamic rapid MRI sequences has been applied to pelvic floor imaging. Early reports have shown that pelvic MRI may be a useful tool in pre-operative planning of these disorders and may lead to a change in surgical therapy. Predictions of hypothetical increase cancer incidence and deaths in patients exposed to radiation, the emergence of pelvic floor MRI in addition to questions relating to the clinical significance of DCP findings have added to these controversies. This review analyses the pros and cons between DCP and dynamic pelvic floor MRI, addresses imaging and interpretive controversies, and their relevance to clinical management.

Diagnostic effectiveness of dynamic colpocystoproctography in women planning for combined surgery with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the advantage of performing the dynamic cystoproctography (DCP) in patients planning for combined surgery due to urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed DCP on a total of 113 consecutive women with POP and compared the findings of the physical examination with POP quantification against those of DCP including squeezing, straining and evacuation phases, and analyzed the changes to the rates of surgical planning. For statistical analysis, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of each test were performed.

RESULTS

DCP identified an additional 10 cases of cystocele, 32 cases of rectocele, 2 cases of enterocele, 4 cases of sigmoidocele, and 8 cases of rectal intussusception compared to those cases who were only included for a physical examination. The initial surgical plan was changed in a total of 24 cases (22.1%). The prevalence of bowel symptoms in the group in which the surgical plan changed was higher than in the group with no changes to the surgical plan (p = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

DCP may be a more sensitive test for diagnosing POP compared to physical examination alone, and it is useful to patients with bowel symptoms by making surgical planning for combined surgery with stress urinary incontinence and POP.

Magnetic resonance enterography in Crohn's disease: a guide to common imaging manifestations for the IBD physician

Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) frequently require cross-sectional imaging. Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) is an accurate tool for assessment of bowel disease and of various complications of CD. The lack of non-ionizing radiation exposure is an important advantage of this imaging modality. Familiarity with common and pathognomonic imaging features of CD is essential for every clinician that is involved in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients' care. This review is aimed to describe the indications for performing MRE in CD, essentials of MRE techniques and typical radiological findings in patients with CD to aid the IBD doctor in daily practice.

Barium proctography vs magnetic resonance proctography for pelvic floor disorders: a comparative study

AIM

Accurate and reliable imaging of pelvic floor dynamics is important for tailoring treatment in pelvic floor disorders; however, two imaging modalities are available. Barium proctography (BaP) is widely used, but involves a significant radiation dose. Magnetic resonance (MR) proctography allows visualization of all pelvic midline structures but patients are supine. This project investigates whether there are measurable differences between BaP and MR proctography. Patient preference for the tests was also investigated.

METHODS

Consecutive patients referred for BaP were invited to participate (National Research Ethics Service approved). Participants underwent BaP in Poole and MR proctography in Dorchester. Proctograms were reported by a consultant radiologist with pelvic floor subspecialization.

RESULTS

A total of 71 patients were recruited. Both tests were carried out on 42 patients. Complete rectal emptying was observed in 29% (12/42) on BaP and in 2% (1/42) on MR proctography. Anismus was reported in 29% (12/42) on BaP and 43% (18/42) on MR proctography. MR proctography missed 31% (11/35) of rectal intussusception detected on BaP. In 10 of these cases no rectal evacuation was achieved during MR proctography. The measure of agreement between grade of rectal intussusception was fair (κ=0.260) although MR proctography tended to underestimate the grade. Rectoceles were extremely common but clinically relevant differences in size were evident. Patients reported that they found MR proctography less embarrassing but harder to empty their bowel.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that MR proctography under-reports pelvic floor abnormalities especially where there has been poor rectal evacuation.

Clinical relevance of transperineal ultrasound compared with evacuation proctography for the evaluation of patients with obstructed defaecation

AIM

Dynamic evacuation proctography (DEP) is still considered the gold standard diagnostic procedure for posterior compartment pelvic disorders. The study aimed to assess the value of dynamic transperineal ultrasound (DTPU) compared with DEP in patients with obstructed defaecation syndrome (ODS).

METHOD

In a prospective observational study, 54 consecutive female patients referred with symptoms of ODS between January and June 2009 were studied by clinical evaluation (including Wexner score), perineal ultrasound and defaecography. The tests were analysed by two experienced investigators unaware of the opinion of the other.

RESULTS

DEP revealed a rectocoele in 35 (64%), intussusception in 27 (50%) and enterocoele in 10 (18.5%) patients. DTPU revealed a rectocoele in 32 (59%), intussusception in 23 (42%) and enterocoele in 11 (20%) patients. The degree of agreement of the two techniques calculated using the Cohen kappa method was 0.69 for rectocoele, 0.74 for intussusception and 0.86 for enterocoele. In patients with grade 2-3 rectocoele, the agreement was 0.88. There was no significant difference between the two techniques in the measurement of the anorectal angle or in the detection of dyssynergic contraction of the puborectalis. DTPU was better at identifying multiple diagnoses and associated pelvic floor alterations.

CONCLUSION

The degree of concordance between the two techniques is good. DTPU is accurate for asymptomatic patients with ODS and can be considered an alternative to DEP in the assessment of such patients.

Functional imaging of the pelvic floor

The clinical treatment of patients with anorectal and pelvic floor dysfunction is often difficult. Dynamic cystocolpoproctography (DCP) has evolved from a method of evaluating the anorectum for functional disorders to its current status as a functional method of evaluating the global pelvic floor for defecatory disorders and pelvic organ prolapse. It has both high observer accuracy and a high yield of positive diagnoses. Clinicians find it a useful diagnostic tool that can alter management decisions from surgical to medical and vice versa in many cases. Functional radiography provides the maximum stress to the pelvic floor, resulting in levator ani relaxation accompanied by rectal emptying-which is needed to diagnose defecatory disorders. It also provides organ-specific quantificative information about female pelvic organ prolapse-information that usually can only be inferred by means of physical examination. The application of functional radiography to the assessment of defecatory disorders and pelvic organ prolapse has highlighted the limitations of physical examination. It has become clear that pelvic floor disorders rarely occur in isolation and that global pelvic floor assessment is necessary. Despite the advances in other imaging methods, DCP has remained a practical, cost-effective procedure for the evaluation of anorectal and pelvic floor dysfunction. In this article, the authors describe the technique they use when performing DCP, define the radiographic criteria used for diagnosis, and discuss the limitations and clinical utility of DCP.

Feasibility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with fibre tractography of the normal female pelvic floor

Objectives

To prospectively determine the feasibility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with fibre tractography as a tool for the three-dimensional (3D) visualisation of normal pelvic floor anatomy.

Methods

Five young female nulliparous subjects (mean age 28 ± 3 years) underwent DTI at 3.0T. Two-dimensional diffusion-weighted axial spin-echo echo-planar (SP-EPI) pulse sequence of the pelvic floor was performed, with additional T2-TSE multiplanar sequences for anatomical reference. Fibre tractography for visualisation of predefined pelvic floor and pelvic wall muscles was performed offline by two observers, applying a consensus method. Three eigenvalues (λ1, λ2, λ3), fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were calculated from the fibre trajectories.

Results

In all subjects fibre tractography resulted in a satisfactory anatomical representation of the pubovisceral muscle, perineal body, anal - and urethral sphincter complex and internal obturator muscle. Mean FA values ranged from 0.23 ± 0.02 to 0.30 ± 0.04, MD values from 1.30 ± 0.08 to 1.73 ± 0.12 × 10⁻³ mm²/s. Muscular structures in the superficial layer of the pelvic floor could not be satisfactorily identified.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the feasibility of visualising the complex three-dimensional pelvic floor architecture using 3T-DTI with fibre tractography. DTI of the deep female pelvic floor may provide new insights into pelvic floor disorders.

Joint hypermobility and rectal evacuatory dysfunction: an etiological link in abnormal connective tissue?

BACKGROUND

  Previous studies report an association between joint hypermobility (JHM), as a clinical feature of underlying connective tissue (CT) disorder, and pelvic organ prolapse. However, its association with rectal evacuatory dysfunction (RED) has not been evaluated. To investigate the prevalence of JHM in the general population and in patients with symptoms of RED referred for anorectal physiological investigation.

METHODS

Bowel symptom and Rome III questionnaires to detect irritable bowel syndrome were sent to 273 patients with RED. Patients then underwent full investigation, including evacuation proctography. A validated 5-point self-reported questionnaire was used to assess JHM in both the patient group and 100 age- and sex-matched controls [87 female, median age 55 (range 28-87)].

KEY RESULTS

Seventy-three patients were excluded from analysis (incomplete questionnaire or investigation). Of 200, 65 patients [32%: 63 female, median age 52 (range 15-80)] and 14% of controls (P = 0.0005 vs patients) had features satisfying criteria for JHM. Overall constipation score (P < 0.0001), abdominal pain (P = 0.003), need for manual assistance (P = 0.009), and use of laxatives (P = 0.03) were greater in the JHM group than the non-JHM group. On proctography, 56 of JHM patients (86%) were found to have significant morphological abnormalities (e.g. functional rectocoele), compared with 64% of the non-JHM group (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

The greater prevalence of JHM in patients with symptoms of RED, and the demonstration of significantly higher frequencies of morphological abnormalities than those without JHM, raises the possibility of an important pathoaetiology residing in either an enteric or supporting pelvic floor abnormality of CT.

Assessment of posterior compartment prolapse: a comparison of evacuation proctography and 3D transperineal ultrasound

INTRODUCTION

Evacuation proctography (EP) is considered to be the gold standard investigation for the diagnosis of posterior compartment prolapse. 3D transperineal ultrasound (3DTPUS) imaging of the pelvic floor is a noninvasive investigation for detection of pelvic floor abnormalities. This study compared EP with 3DTPUS in diagnosing posterior compartment prolapse.

METHOD

In a prospective observational study, patients with symptoms related to posterior compartment prolapse participated in a standardized interview, clinical examination, 3DTPUS and EP. Both examinations were analysed separately by two experienced investigators, blinded against the clinical data and against the results of the other imaging technique. After the examinations, all patients were asked to fill out a standardized questionnaire concerning their subjective experience.

RESULTS

Between 2005 and 2007, 75 patients were included with a median age of 59 years (range 22-83). The Cohen's Kappa Index for enterocole was 0.65 (good) and for rectocele it was 0.55 (moderate). The level of correlation for intussusception was fair (kappa = 0.21).

CONCLUSION

This study showed moderate to good agreement between 3DTPUS and EP for detecting enterocele and rectocele.

Effect of hemorrhoidectomy on anorectal physiology

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine whether overactivity of the anal sphincter in patients with hemorhhoids is primary or secondary and thus assess indication of lateral internal sphincterotomy to surgical treatment of hemorrhoids. Tonic contraction of the sphincter muscle in patients with advanced stages of hemorrhoids is considered by many authors as a primary cause, and therefore, they complete hemorrhoid surgery with lateral internal sphincteroomy. If hypertension of anal sphincter is secondary during hemorrhoid disease, lateral internal sphincterotomy is not indicated. Although examinations made immediately after sphincterotomy proved no changes of anal continence, certain sequelae of lateral internal sphincterotomy cannot be excluded and may later negatively affect patient's anal continence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The prospective study comprised 385 patients treated in 2002-2006 by Hemoron or surgery according to Milligan-Morgan or Longo. Patients with history of another disease of the anal canal, radiotherapy of pelvis, Crohn's disease or ulcerous colitis were excluded. Manometry was performed before and after surgery at intervals of 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation using a perfusion flow method, six-channels catheter with radial arrangement of channel tips.

RESULTS

In all three groups (Hemoron, sec. Milligan-Morgan, sec. Longo), there were 60-65% of patients with third degree hemorrhoids. Normal resting anal pressure before surgery was recorded in only 25% of men and 30% of women. Patients with advanced hemorrhoid degrees were found to have significant hypertension of the anal sphincter. The most significantly improved state of sphincter overactivity was observed after surgery according to Longo and application of Hemoron. After surgery, according to Milligan-Morgan, recovery of anal sphincter tension was the longest; even 6 months after operation, a mean increased resting anal pressure persisted (91-110 mmHg) in 25% of men and 19% of women. After 12 months, recovery of anal tension occurred in this group also--mean increased anal pressure was recorded in only three patients (1.67%).

CONCLUSION

Overactivity of the anal sphincter in patients with hemorrhoids is secondary and according to our results. Hypertension of the sphincter muscle in patients with hemorrhoids is significantly increased in patients with advanced degrees of hemorrhoids. Therefore, it is not recommended to postpone surgery and indicate patients with advanced degrees of hemorrhoids to hemorrhoidectomy.

Characteristic findings on defecography according to reconstruction method and defecatory disorder following sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

This study used postoperative defecography to characterize morphological features of defecatory disorders in patients following rectal resection. We also evaluated differences in dynamic defecatory condition depending on reconstruction methods for sphincter-saving surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subjects comprised 62 patients (male/female, 41/21; mean age, 61 years) who underwent defecography after sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer. Semisolid barium (100 ml) was introduced into the rectum, and images were taken in a sitting position. Characteristic dynamic findings in defecography were evaluated according to operative methods and were compared with symptoms of defecatory disorders.

RESULTS

Defecographic findings closely associated with postoperative defecatory disorder were as follows: (1) low volume of neorectum in patients with worse incontinence grade (p < 0.05), (2) low evacuation fraction in patients with significantly impaired function such as soiling, urgency, and worsened incontinence score (p < 0.05), (3) minor alteration of anorectal angle at evacuation in patients with major soiling and worsened incontinence score (p < 0.05), and (4) barium shadow in the anal canal at rest in patients with urgency (p < 0.05). By reconstruction method, the J-pouch displayed a larger volume than straight anastomosis but a significantly wider anorectal angle than high anterior resection (HAR). Side-to-end anastomosis offered a moderate volume and a sharp anorectal angle as in HAR.

CONCLUSIONS

Defecography is useful for visualizing and characterizing defecatory disorders following rectal resection. Based on defecography, J-pouch reconstruction offers advantageous volume, while side-to-end anastomosis provides a more acute anorectal angle for patients who have received rectal resection with low anastomosis. A new reconstruction method offering both advantages was discussed.

Defecation proctography and translabial ultrasound in the investigation of defecatory disorders

OBJECTIVES

Defecation proctography is the standard method used in the investigation of obstructed defecation. Translabial ultrasound has recently been shown to demonstrate rectocele, enterocele and rectal intussusception. We performed a comparative clinical study to determine agreement between the two methods.

METHODS

Thirty-seven women scheduled to undergo defecation proctography for obstructed defecation were recruited. Using both proctography and translabial ultrasound, we determined the anorectal angle, presence of a rectocele and rectocele depth, rectal intussusception and prolapse. Measurements were obtained by operators blinded to all other data. All patients rated discomfort on a scale of 0-10.

RESULTS

Six women did not attend defecation proctography, leaving 31 cases for comparison. The mean age was 53 years. Patients rated discomfort at a median of 1 (range 0-10) for ultrasound and 7 (range 0-10) for defecation proctography (P < 0.001). Defecation proctography suggested rectocele and rectal intussusception/prolapse more frequently than did ultrasound. While the positive predictive value of ultrasound (considering defecation proctography to be the definitive test) was 0.82 for rectocele and 0.88 for intussusception/prolapse, negative predictive values were only 0.43 and 0.27, respectively. Cohen's kappa values were 0.26 and 0.09, respectively. There was poor agreement between ultrasound and defecation proctography measurements of anorectal angle and rectocele depth.

CONCLUSIONS

Translabial ultrasound can be used in the initial investigation of defecatory disorders. It is better tolerated than defecation proctography and also yields information on the lower urinary tract, pelvic organ prolapse and levator ani. Agreement between ultrasound and defecation proctography in the measurement of quantitative parameters was poor, but when intussusception or rectocele was diagnosed on ultrasound these results were highly predictive of findings on defecation proctography.

[Progress in diagnostics of anorectal disorders. Part II: radiology]

Diagnostics and therapy of anorectal disorders remain a surgical question. In close cooperation between different departments (radiology and gastroenterology, urology and gynecology, dermatology and psychology), the role of radiologic imaging is of growing importance. Exact knowledge of functional anatomy and precise clinical examination constitute the basis of the according therapeutic strategies. In this context radiology has contributed decisively. Developments in imaging techniques, e.g. dynamic MRI, highly contributed to better understanding of complex functional pelvic floor disorders. The combination of nanotechnology and high-resolution imaging allows precise staging, especially in rectal cancer. Furthermore, advances in virtual colonoscopy could lead to widely acceptable and patient-friendly screening for colorectal malignancies.