Endosonographic findings in patients with fecal incontinence

Abstract

SUMMARY
Between 1995-2001 79 patients with fecal incontinence (FI)
were examined with endorectal ultrasound in our laboratory.
There were 56 patients with a definite history of anatomic
risk factors (congenital diseases, anorectal operation,
difficult delivery, sexual abuse or other trauma). 11 patients
had evidence of internal or external rectal prolapse. Endoanal
ultrasound revealed sphincter defects in 50 patients
(44 internal anal sphincter (IAS) defects and 38 external
anal sphincter (EAS) defects). Sphincter defects were found
in 47/56 patients with a history of anorectal trauma and in
3/23 patients without a history of trauma. In 14 patients,
no risk factor was identified. The etiology of FI was diagnosed
as non-traumatic after endoanal ultrasound examination
in 34 patients (6 patients with endosonographic evidence
of sphincter trauma). The results of endorectal ultrasound
had a significant impact in the subsequent management
of FI (sphincter repair, muscle transposition, biofeedback
training or prolapse repair).
Key words: Fecal incontinence, Anal sphincter, Anorectal
operation, Diabetes, Pudendal neuropathy, Endoanal ultrasound,
Vector manometry, Congenital, Prolapse, Biofeedback,
Sphincter repair, Muscle transposition.