[Fecal incontinence - symptoms are guiding therapy]. / Stuhlinkontinenz ­ vom Symptom zur Therapie.

Fecal incontinence (FI) is an escalating medical problem. Due to increasing life expectancy FI becomes more evident, especially in the geriatric population. The prevalence varies from 4 % in the adult population reaching > 50 % in the octogenerians, yet most probably associated with a significant based error due to underreporting. Diagnosis is depending primarily upon history taking and gathered information from the patient and caregivers. Additional technical diagnostic procedures are of secondary importance. In most cases no single cause for FI can be identified, mostly multifactorial disorders contribute to a progressive loss of anorectal continence. The mainstay in therapeutic approaches to control symptoms comprise changes in lifestyle patterns, physiotherapy and medical therapy, but depend on the patient's compliance. Invasive or even surgical treatments are circumstantial, although sacral neuromodulation has proofed to be a successful treatment modality during the past decades. Ultimately a permanent stoma may lead to symptom control and result in an increased quality of life.

German S1 guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of perianal dermatitis (anal eczema).

Perianal dermatitis (anal eczema, perianal eczema) is one of the most common proctological conditions. It may occur as a sequela or a presenting symptom of various proctological, dermatological, allergic or pathogen-induced disorders. The three main types of anal eczema are irritant-toxic, atopic and allergic contact dermatitis. Adequate and successful treatment requires a comprehensive diagnostic workup to determine disease etiology and includes treatment/elimination of causative factors as well as nonpharmacological interventions (avoidance of aggravating factors). In addition, adjuvant topical anti-inflammatory and/or specific symptomatic treatment may be required. The present guidelines contain recommendations for the diagnostic and therapeutic management of perianal dermatitis. Target users of these guidelines are clinicians in the fields of dermatology and proctology, as well as all other specialties involved in the management of patients with perianal dermatitis, both in hospital and office-based settings.

Computed tomography in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

The aim of this study was to define the imaging characteristics of primary and recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in computed tomography with respect to the tumor size. Computed tomography was performed in 35 patients with histologically confirmed gastrointestinal stromal tumors and analyzed retrospectively by two experienced and independent radiologist. The following morphologic tumor characteristics of primary ( n=20) and ( n=16) recurrent tumors were evaluated according to tumor size, shape, homogeneity, density compared with liver, contrast enhancement, presence of calcifications, ulcerations, fistula or distant metastases and the anatomical relationship to the intestinal wall, and the infiltration of adjacent visceral organs. Small GIST (<5 cm) showed a sharp tumor margin with homogeneous density and structure on unenhanced and contrast-enhanced images, and were characterized by an intraluminal tumor growth. Intermediate sized GIST (>5-10 cm) demonstrated an irregular shape, inhomogeneous density on unenhanced and contrast-enhanced images, a combined intra- and extraluminal tumor growth with aggressive findings, and infiltration of adjacent organs in 9 primary diagnosed and 2 recurrent tumors. Large GIST (>10 cm), which were observed in 8 primary tumors and 11 recurrent tumors, showed an irregular margin with inhomogeneous density and aggressive findings, and were characterized by signs of malignancy such as distant and peritoneal metastases. Small recurrent tumors had a similar appearance as compared with large primary tumors. Computed tomography gives additional information with respect to the relationship of gastrointestinal stromal tumor to the gastrointestinal wall and surrounding organs, and it detects distant metastasis. Primary and recurrent GIST demonstrate characteristic CT imaging features which are related to tumor size. Aggressive findings and signs of malignancy are found in larger tumors and in recurrent disease. Computed tomography is useful in detection and characterization of primary and recurrent tumors with regard to tumor growth pattern, tumor size, and varied appearances of gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and indirectly gives hints regarding dignity and therefore prognostic outcome.

Radiological findings in Boerhaave's syndrome.

The aim was to define the diagnostic value of chest radiography, esophagography, and computed tomography (CT) in patients with Boerhaave's syndrome. CT findings in 14 patients (11 male, 3 female; mean age: 60 years; median age: 66 years; age range: 36-78 years) with spontaneous esophageal perforation were retrospectively reviewed and compared to those of esophagography ( n=11) and chest radiography ( n=14). In six patients unenhanced CT scans were available; in ten patients (2/10 patients had an unenhanced CT before) a contrast-enhanced CT was performed as an emergency investigation. In 5/14 patients additional oral contrast medium was given. Chest radiography revealed pleural effusions in 9/14 and infiltrates in 9/14 patients. Pneumothorax and pneumopericardium were observed in two patients each. Pneumomediastinum was seen in three patients. Two chest radiographs were normal. Esophagography performed in 11 patients demonstrated contrast medium extravasation at a supradiaphragmatic level in seven patients, indicating esophageal perforation with esophagopleural fistula, and a submucosal contrast medium collection in four cases. Unenhanced CT scans revealed four intramural hematomas with typical localization. Unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated periesophageal air collections indicating esophageal perforation in all patients. Pleural effusions were seen in 11/14 and infiltrates in 8/14 patients. Contrast medium extravasation was observed in 5/14 patients, whereas a thickening of the esophageal wall was depicted in 11/14 patients. Periaortic air tracks ( n=7), pneumothorax ( n=3), pneumomediastinum ( n=6), and mediastinal fluid collections ( n=7) were depicted in CT. By demonstrating periesophageal air tracks suggestive of esophageal perforation, CT reveals the decisive criteria for diagnosing Boerhaave's syndrome and should therefore be performed in the diagnostic work-up of patients in whom this syndrome is part of the differential diagnosis.