[Functional ano-rectal disorders: associated defecographic findings and related symptoms]

Radiol Med. 1994 Jul-Aug;88(1-2):56-62.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

We retrospectively analyzed our latest 564 defecographies to evaluate: the frequency of each single defecographic finding on the total number of patients and in the two sexes; the frequency of the finding as single disorder and in association with other anorectal disorders; the correlation between findings and symptoms. The most common disorders were anterior rectocele (54%), mucosal prolapse (53%), puborectalis muscle syndrome (15%), and intussusception (15%); this order is respected in women (70, 57, 17 and 16% of the study population) but differs in men (mucosal prolapse 42%, puborectalis muscle syndrome 18%, posterior rectocele 14%, and intussusception 14%). Intussusception and puborectalis muscle syndrome were identified as an isolated finding in many cases (55% and 43%, respectively). The most common associations are: posterior rectocele with anterior rectocele (58% of cases), anterior rectocele with mucosal prolapse and vice versa (63% and 64%), intussusception with anterior rectocele (52%), puborectalis muscle syndrome with mucosal prolapse (36%) and with anterior rectocele (49%) and descending perineum syndrome with anterior rectocele (81%) and with mucosal prolapse (70%). The low rate of association among some disorders should be mentioned too for example, mucosal prolapse is associated, with intussusception only in 10% of cases. Clinical-defecographic correlations are less apparent: if some symptoms are found to be more typical of some disorders, this correlation is not pathognomonic and the clinical picture is quite aspecific. We stress the value of a careful correlation between clinical-anamnestic and defecographic findings for the correct evaluation of these disorders.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anus Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cineradiography
  • Constipation / diagnostic imaging
  • Defecation*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fecal Incontinence / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Hemorrhoids / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Intussusception / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rectal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Rectal Prolapse / diagnostic imaging
  • Retrospective Studies