Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 12, Issue 7 375-378, Copyright © 1993 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
New challenge for endorectal sonography: diagnosis of fecal incontinence
B. E. Hashimoto and V. A. Botoman
Department of Radiology C5-S, Virginia Mason Clinic, Seattle, WA 98111.
The puborectalis muscle is a major determinant in the control of fecal
continence. With endorectal sonography puborectalis function was assessed
by determining puborectalis length in the resting (D1) and contracted (D2)
states and calculating the percentage of shortening (D1-D2/D1)(100). The
puborectalis length was defined as the shortest distance between the
symphysis pubis and the rectal mucosa. The mean puborectalis length at rest
did not differ in control subjects (29.5 +/- 1.0 mm) and incontinent
patients (29.0 +/- 2.9 mm). With voluntary contraction a statistically
significant difference (P 0.001) was seen in the percentage of shortening
between control subjects (15.4 +/- 1.1%) and incontinent patients (4.7 +/-
2.8%). Endorectal ultrasonography is a useful method to diagnose fecal
incontinence.
