ENDOANAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ANAL INCONTINENCE

Endoanal ultrasonography with a Bruel and Kjaer 7 mHz rotative probe a llows precise evaluation of the different structures of the anus, the anal canal and the rectum. The integrity thickness and length of the m uscle layers call be measured in a reproducible way during contracture and at rest. In addition to the classic images, video recording can b e carried our. We examined 96 consecutive patients with anal incontine nce, comprising 82 female and 14 male patients. In 76 cases the origin were an obstetrical lesion, 7 were surgical lesions, in 9 cases the l esion was posttraumatic and in 2 cases a malformation. In 2 cases a re ctal prolapse was associated. We found that endoanal ultrasonography p ermits a precise diagnosis of anal incontinence. The nature and the ex tent of sphincteric lesions can be determined and the surgical procedu re can thus be planned. In the absence of organic lesions this examina tion serves to avoid unnecessary surgical treatment.