[Application of Rectal Prolapse Constipation Balloon in Single Auxiliary Defecation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of rectal prolapse constipation balloon in single auxiliary defecation. METHODS: Forty-one patients with moderate or severe rectocele were treated with a rectocele constipation balloon through the vagina. The defecography and VAS scores were compared before and after implantation. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the anorectal angle, rectocele, and VAS scores before and after intervention in defecography (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A single assisted defecation of the rectocelicular constipation balloon is feasible.

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.

Practical performance of defecography for the evaluation of constipation and incontinence.

By opacifying the sigmoid, rectum, and vagina with different barium consistencies and using fluoroscopy to evaluate the mechanics of defecation in a physiologic setting, a wide range of pathologies associated with constipation and incontinence can be diagnosed. This review article discusses the primary indications for fluoroscopic defecography, techniques, common diagnoses, and challenges faced in clinical practice.

Reproducibility of five anorectal morphologic measurements in defecography.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the inter- and intraobserver reproducibility of measuring five morphologic parameters of the anorectum in defecography (evacuation proctography). METHODS: Measurements from 42 defecographic studies were statistically analyzed. The parameters measured during resting, squeezing, and straining included two anorectal angles (posterior and axis), maximal width of the anal canal, maximal width of the rectal lumen, and size of the rectocele. RESULTS: The results demonstrated only fair interobserver agreement (kappa = 0.22-0.38) for almost all measurements of the five morphologic parameters. There were high correlations (kappa = 0.62-1.00) among most intraobserver measurements. CONCLUSION: For defecographic measurement, the five parameters we studied have relatively poor clinical value because of high inter- and intraobserver inconsistency.

Imaging studies of the pelvic floor.

A variety of imaging modalities complement the history and physical examination in the investigation of pelvic floor dysfunction in women. Current fluoroscopic techniques, including defocography, can reveal underlying pelvic floor defects by reproducing normal daily activities that cause symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging provides fine musculoskeletal detail of this region in anatomic plane not well seen via computerized tomography. Ultrasound is used primarily in assessment of the anal sphincter muscles. Cystourethroscopy provides direct visualization of the lower urinary tract. This article describes the clinical applications and technique of each modality.

[Our concept of defecography. Methods and reproducibility of results]. / Defekografie v nasem pojetí. Metoda a reprodukovatelnost výsledku.

Defecography is used in the Czech Republic only exceptionally. Since 1988 the authors made 402 defecographic examinations. They submit a detailed description of hitherto assembled experience and their own modification of the examination. As contrast material they use at present Micropaque susp. thickened by means of wheat bran. They administer it by means of a modified press for dough preparation. The X-rays are taken on a modified ordinary stool made from soft timber. For screening of uncovered places in the visual field they use individually placed copper plates 2 mm thick. For better evaluation of the X-rays the authors place during examination an X-ray contrasting net behind the patient. Pictures are taken at rest, during contraction, during modified Valsalva's manoeuvre and during all stages of defecation. The authors mention the most interesting pathological pictures they encountered so far--internal prolapse, levator hernia, rectocele, sphincter defect, various forms of prolapses and dyskineses of the pelvic floor. In the authors opinion the basic quantifiable parameters are the magnitude of the anorectal angles. They used the assessment method described by Mahieu, as well as the mediorectal angle which in their opinion is a reflection of the patient's somatotype and levator function. More than the absolute values of the angles they emphasize the difference of the two angles and change of the latter during contraction and defecation. In their opinion enlargement of the difference during contraction and diminution to values close to zero is normal. Converse values are according to the authors evidence of dyssynergy of the pelvic floor. Independent assessment of the angles and magnitude of the lift of the pelvic floor by three subjects are subjected to statistical analysis. They provide evidence of complete reproducibility of results of anorectal angles according to the authors' definition. The results of assessment can be used to investigate relations with parameters of anorectal manometry (AM) or transrectal sonographyy (TRS) in subsequent investigations.

An unusual pediatric case of chronic constipation and rectosigmoid prolapse diagnosed by video defecography.

Rectal prolapse is a relatively common, benign condition in the pediatric population. Conservative management usually results in resolution of the problem. Persistent rectal prolapse with chronic constipation suggests more serious underlying pathologic condition that may be challenging to diagnose. We present a case of severe recurrent rectal prolapse with chronic constipation in a 13-year-old boy. Using video defecography, an unusual radiographic modality in children, a functional sigmoid obstruction was observed that was not found on more routine imaging studies. Laparoscopic sigmoidectomy provided an excellent outcome in this patient who previously had a lifestyle-limiting, chronic condition.

FECOM: a new artificial stool for evaluating defecation.

OBJECTIVE: Traditionally, barium paste has been used for performing defecography. Because this substance is not stool-like, barium defecography may not accurately represent defecatory function. Our aim was to prospectively compare the utility of a new artificial stool, "FECOM"--a silicon-filled and barium-coated, deformable device the shape and consistency of which mimicked a normal formed stool with that of barium paste. METHODS: Defecography was performed after placing FECOM or barium paste in a random order in 12 healthy subjects (two men and 10 women). We evaluated the changes in anorectal angle, rectal morphology, rectal sensation, and the subjects' preference for a "stool-like" device. RESULTS: Anorectal angle at rest, during squeeze, cough, and straining were each greater with the FECOM when compared with the barium paste (p < 0.006). Anterior rectocele (nine), mucosal intussusception (four), and incontinence (three) were identified only with barium defecography. Nine (75%) subjects preferred FECOM to barium paste (p < 0.001) and reported that expulsion of this device mimicked more closely their stools at home (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The anorectal angle is influenced by the form and consistency of stool material and is lower with barium paste. The detection of rectocele, mucosal intussusception, and barium leakage in normal subjects during barium defecography questions the significance of these findings. FECOM appears to be a realistic alternative to barium paste for performing defecography.

[The absorbed dose to the gonads in adult patients undergoing defecographic study by digital or traditional radiographic imaging]. / Dose assorbita dalle gonadi dei pazienti adulti sottoposti a studio defecografico con acquisizione radiografica digitale o tradizionale.

INTRODUCTION: Doses to the gonads and skin of adult people were evaluated during the study of functional anorectal disorders with defecography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The radiologic procedure relies heavily on fluoroscopy with lateral and anteroposterior projections for a mean time of 2.4 minutes; the stages of interest are recorded on a mean of 6 films. Absorbed doses to the gonads and to the skin were measured with LiF thermoluminescence dosimeters placed inside and outside the anthropomorphic "Rando" phantom. The administered doses during the different examination phases (anteroposterior and lateral fluoroscopy and radiography) were measured. Digital and conventional radiography were compared. RESULTS: Gonadal absorbed doses in a standard DSI examination were: 5.0 +/- .1 mGy to the right ovary, 25.2 +/- .7 mGy to the left ovary and 2.7 +/- .1 mGy to testes when at the margin of the irradiation field. Doses to gonads and skin are about 15% higher when the examination is performed with conventional radiography. DISCUSSION: The considerable radiation dose to ovaries shows that defecography can cause radiation-induced genetic effects in women younger than 40 years with a probability of the order of one thousandth of the natural incidence genetic defects. CONCLUSIONS: Defecography must be correctly indicated in fertile women, because of the relatively high absorbed dose to ovaries. In fact, the ovaries absorb about twice as many radiations during defecography than radiologic examinations of the lower gastrointestinal tract.

Postoperative fecoflowmetric analysis in patients with anorectal malformation.

Because conventional methods of evaluating anorectal function do not necessarily provide good correlations between investigative results and symptoms in patients who have undergone surgery for an anorectal malformation (ARM), we recently introduced feco-flowmetry (FFM) to simulate natural anorectal evacuation. The purpose of this study was to embody significant parameters to elucidate the dynamics of anorectal activity on FFM. The parameters of FFM were compared with those of manometry and Kelly's clinical score (KCS) in 24 patients who underwent surgery for an ARM. There were three fecoflow patterns, namely, block (B) type, segmental (S) type, and flat (F) type. The B-type or S-type patterns were seen in patients classified as "clinically good." There were close relationships between the fecoflow pattern and both the operative procedure and the KCS (P = 0.01 and 0.001, respectively). Maximum fecal stream flow rate (Fmax) precisely reflected the tolerance rate of intended normal saline solution in the colorectum (TR), the evacuative rate (ER), and KCS. Fmax > 45 ml/s or TR > 70% or ER > 50% was statistically regarded as the borderline of fecal continence. Thus, the fecoflow pattern might reflect the motor activity of the pelvic floor muscle. FFM provided quantiative and qualitative evaluations concerning anorectal motor activity in patients who had undergone surgery for an ARM.

Dynamic rectal examination: its significant clinical value.

The aim of the present study was to carry out a proper correlation between patients' clinical symptoms and the radiological findings obtained by dynamic rectal examination (DRE). At DRE, the small bowel and in females the vagina are routinely opacified in addition to defecography. A prospective study of 248 consecutive patients (193 women and 55 men, ratio 3.5:1) and 14 control subjects was conducted. The parameters assessed included the anorectal angle, the position of the anorectal junction, and the total movement of the pelvic floor during squeezing and defecation. Anatomical changes as rectoceles, enteroceles and intussusceptions were also observed. Based on the findings, the following conclusions can be drawn. There is no indication for measurement of the central or posterior anorectal angle. There is no indication for measurement of the perineal ascent, perineal descent, and anorectal junction level. Anterior rectoceles occur very frequently in females, and are only of clinical relevance if the patients need digital vaginal support to facilitate defecation. DRE is a sensitive method for diagnosing enteroceles and intussusceptions.