ELECTRORECTOGRAM STUDY OF THE NEUROPATHIC RECTUM

The rectal electrical activity was studied by electrorectogram (ERG) i n 28 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) (mean age 46.6 years, 18 m en and 10 women) and nine healthy volunteers (controls). Nineteen pati ents had an upper motor neuron lesion (UMNL) and 9 a lower motor neuro n lesion (LMNL). The ERG was recorded by a monopolar silver-silver chl oride electrode applied to the rectal mucosa by suction. Simultaneous recording of the rectal and rectal neck pressures was performed. At le ast four recording sessions of 120 min each were done for every subjec t. No complications were encountered during the test. The ERG in norma l subjects showed pacesetter potentials (PP) with a regular rhythm and constant frequency and were reproducible in the individual subject. P P were followed by action potentials (AP) which had an inconsistent fr equency and were associated with increased rectal pressure. The ERG in UMNL patients exhibited 'dysrhythmia' with irregular frequency, ampli tude and velocity. The AP did not show in any recording. LMNL patients had a 'silent' ERG. In conclusion, two patterns of ERG could be ident ified in SCI patients: dysrhythmic and silent. The cause of the disord ered ERG could be due to derangement of the intrinsic rectal conductin g system.