Determinant of Anal Resting Pressure Gradient in Association With Continence Function

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gradient of resting pressure across the anal canal, which is known to have a role in continence mechanism, has 2 components of determination; pressure and length factor of the anal canal. This study evaluates which factor between them plays more significant role for the determination of the gradient in association with continence function. METHODS: Anal manometric measurements of 69 patients with fecal incontinence and 60 controls were retrospectively reviewed. In addition to resting pressure gradient, typical manometric parameters such as maximum resting pressure, basal resting pressure, length of the anal canal, length of high pressure zone and relative position of highest pressure, which were measured with rapid pull-through technique were all contrasted. RESULTS: Demographics of the 2 groups were similar. Maximum resting pressures of patients with incontinence and controls were 59.1 +/- 28.3, 74.6 +/- 24.0 mmHg (P = 0.001), respectively. Basal resting pressures were 5.7 +/- 6.4 and 7.3 +/- 3.9 mmHg (P = 0.097), lengths of the anal canal were 35.8 +/- 9.1 and 38.1 +/- 8.3 mm (P = 0.133), lengths of high pressure zone were 21.2 +/- 6.7 and 23.3 +/- 6.5 mm (P = 0.091), relative positions of highest pressure were 69.2 +/- 10.6 and 70.1% +/- 14.9% (P = 0.717) and resting pressure gradients were 2.28 +/- 1.08 and 2.74 +/- 1.14 mmHg/mm (P = 0.019), respectively. Difference was significant in maximum resting pressure and resting pressure gradient, but not in length factors such as full length of the anal canal, length of high pressure zone and relative position of highest pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal location of high pressure zone in incontinent patients is not definite and resting pressure gradient of the anal canal depends more on pressure factor than length factor in association with continence function.

Changes of Immunoreactivities of Calcium Channel alpha(1B)Subunit in Myenteric Plexus of Capsaicin Treated Adult Rats / 체질인류학회지

This study was performed to investigate the changes of immunoreactivities of calcium channel alpha(1B) subunit in myenteric plexus of capsaicin treated adult rats. Sprague Dawley rats (about 200 g) were injected with capsaicin (50 mg/kg) subcutaneously. Ileal myenteric plexus was prepared by whole mount preparation method in 1 day, 2 days, 1 week and 4 weeks after capsaicin treated adult rats. Each myenteric plexus was reacted with NADH-TR and immunostained with alpha(1B) subunit. Myenteric ganglion cell numbers were counted by image analyzer. In control group myenteric plexus was arranged in rectangular appearance; myenteric ganglia and internodal strand were immunoreacted with alpha(1B) subunit. Immunoreactive cells were 56.0% of total myenteric neurons. Total numbers of immunoreactive cells decreased by 19.0%, 37.9% and 64.9% in 1 day, 2 days, and 1 week after capsaicn treated group respectively. In 4 weeks after capsaicin treated group, immunoreactivities of alpha(1B) subunit were increased compared to that of the 1 week after group. However total numbers of immuoreactive cells decreased by 43.9% compared to that of the control group. In conclusion, we confirmed that immunoreactivities of alpha(1B) subunit were decreased until 1 week after capsaicin treatment and recovered progressively after that time. It will take more than 4 weeks latency to recover the control immunoreactivities of alpha(1B) subunit.

The Role of Rectoanal Inhibitory Reflex in the Anal Continence Function

PURPOSE: The rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) aids the anal continence function by a sampling process. On the other hand, it might impair the anal continence function because the internal anal sphincter is relaxed during the reflex. We assessed the parameters of RAIR in incontinent patients with or without a sphincter defect and compared them with healthy control subjects to clarify the exact role of that reflex in the anal continence function. METHODS: The recovery time, slope, amplitude, and area under the reflex curve of the RAIR were measured for 31 normal controls without any history of anorectal surgery (group A), 32 incontinent patients with a sphincter defect (group B), and 49 incontinent patients without a sphincter defect (group C). Incontinence was defined as bowel accidents of more than 3 by the Cleveland Clinic Florida score. A sphincteric defect was defined endoanal sonographically. The mean ages of group A, B, and C were 57.9+/-14.3, 54.5+/-13.6, and 61.8+/-15.4 years, respectively. RESULTS: When group A and group B+C were compared, the recovery times (seconds) were 17.5+/-3.5 and 14.8+/-5.5 (P=.003), the slopes (mmHg/second) were 0.67+/-3.04 and 3.27+/-2.44 (P<.001), the amplitudes (%) were 7.0+/-16.5 and 53.3+/-19.4 (P=.352), and the area under the reflex curve (mmHg*seconds) were 230.2+/-102.15 and 173.0+/-140.8 (P=.020). When group B and group C were compared, the recovery times were 15.0+/-5.8 and 14.7+/-5.3 (P=.828), the slopes were 3.6+/-2.8 and 3.1+/-2.2 (P= .388), the amplitudes were 54.2+/-22.4 and 52.7+/-17.4 (P=.737), and the area under the reflex curve were 188.0+/-151.1 and 163.2+/-134.3 (P=.443). All parameters of the RAIR, except the amplitude were significantly diminished in incontinent patients whether they had a sphincter defect or not. CONSLUSIONS: Although the RAIR functions against continence in normal conditions by inhibiting sphincteric tone, it behaves suitably for keeping continence in the presence of incontinence, whatever the cause is, by attenuating the degree of inhibition.

Gene Expression Profiling using Oligonucleotide Microarray in Atrophic Gastritis and Intestinal Metaplasia / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa has been considered to be the major factor of carcinogenesis in the stomach. However, the key molecules are still poorly understood. To elucidate the molecular genetic basis, we report the results of our initial microarray data to analyze the genome pattern in patients with atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia of the stomach. METHODS: We used oligonucleotide microarray technique to evaluate the gene expression profiles in atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia, in comparison with those of normal mucosa. For the identification of differentially expressed genes, Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM) package method was used. The results were analyzed using global normalization, intensity dependent normalization, and box plot normalization. RESULTS: Eight genes including FABP, REG, OR6C1, MEP1, SLC6A1, SI, Mucin 1, and RAB23 in mucosa of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were up-regulated by more than 10 times as compared with normal gastric mucosa. Only one gene, LOC44119 was down-regulated by more than 10 times of the expression as compared with normal gastric mucosa. In respect to the expression of known genes related to gastric carcinogenesis, 8 genes including FN1, SRMS, TP53, TP53IMP2, TP53I3, FGFR4, TGFB1, and TGFA showed up- and down-regulations more than 2 folds in expression pattern. CONCLUSIONS: We could identify a total genome pattern in patient with atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia using oligonucleotide microarray. We believe that the current results will serve as a fundamental bioinformative basis for clinical applications in diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer and precancerous lesion in the future.

The Morphometric Changes of the Enteric Nervous System in the Intestinal Transection-reanastomosis Model / 체질인류학회지

This study was performed to investigate the morphometric changes of myenteric plexus and type 1 interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-I) in regeneration process of small intestine transection. Sprague Dawley rats (200~250 g) were anesthetized with ether; then the full thickness of ileal wall were semitransected; and subsequent end-to-end anastomosis were performed by using 6-0 silk suture thread. Sham-operated rats, which only underwent the laparotomy, were used for control group. Experimental animals were sacrificed at 3 days, 7 days, 15 days, and 30 days after the operation. In each group myenteric plexus and ICC-Is were prepared by histochemical method (NADH-TR stain for myenteric plexus, ZIO stain for ICC-Is) and cell numbers were counted by image analyzer (Image plus pro-5.0, Media Cybermedics, USA). Degeneration of myenteric neurons and ICC-Is occurred simultaneously and it was similar in oral and anal to the site of transection. Degeneration effects were most prominent at 3 days and 7 days after intestinal transection. In myenteric plexus, many neurons had degenerated appearances and about 40% of them were lost. Most of ICC-Is had cytoplasmic vacuoles and 20~37% of the cells were lost. At 15 days after transection, there were no more degeneration in myenteric neurons (20~25% cell loss) and ICC-Is (20~13% cell loss). At 30 days after transection, numbers of myenteric neurons were not recovered as that of the control group. However numbers of ICC-Is were as similar as that of the control group. In conclusion, we confirmed that degeneration effects of intestinal transection are more severe in myenteric plexus than in ICC-Is, and recovery of cell loss occurs more slowly in myenteric plexus.

Surgical Management of Obstructed Defecation

There are three groups of patients with constipating symptoms; those with obstructed defecation, slow transit constipation, or both. The treatment of obstructed defecation (pelvic outlet obstruction) is often challenging because the underlying disorders are diverse with a wide range of and clinical symptoms. The underlying anatomical and pathophysiological changes in patients with obstructed defecation are complex and often poorly understood. As a consequence, many medical, surgical, and behavioral approaches have been described, with no single panacea. For successful outcomes, preoperative physiologic testing is mandatory to differentiate between obstructed defecation caused by pelvic outlet obstruction and slow transit constipation. Obstructed defecatory disorders can distress patients both socially and psychologically and greatly impair their quality of life. For the great majority of patients, dietary adjustment with an increased fiber and liquid supplement can resolve the symptoms. The surgical approach depends upon the etiology, severity of symptoms, and operative risks. In a small group of patients with a rectocele or a third degree sigmoidocele, surgical intervention yields a high success rate. Division or resection of the puborectalis muscle is not recommended. In patients with a mixed pattern of slow transit colon and pelvic outlet obstruction, surgical intervention alone is often not successful; these patients can experience better outcomes by conservative treatment of pelvic outlet obstruction, followed by a colectomy. Stapled transanal rectal resection has recently become a recommended surgical procedure for obstructed defecation syndrome. One problem when using a transanal stapling device for rectal surgery is the potential damage to the structures located in front of the anterior rectal wall. The laparoscopic approach can shorten the hospital stay with good outcomes and is well tolerated in elderly patients with rectal prolapse. Despite the progress in modern surgery, the choice of the surgical procedure of pelvic outlet obstruction is still controversial. Preoperative counseling of all patients undergoing surgery is of extreme importance, in particular to explain the evolving nature of pelvic floor dysfunction and the possible need for further reconstructive surgery. To identify patients who will benefit from surgery for obstructed defecation, a careful selection of candidate patients remains the crucial issue in the diagnostic assessment. Surgical intervention should be limited only to the patients with identifiable, surgically correctable causes of outlet obstruction. This review gives an overview of surgical treatment options in patients with obstructed defecation.

A Pilot Study as the Biochip Based Gene Expression Profiling in Patients with Hyperplastic Colonic Polyp

PURPOSE: A microarray-based gene expression analysis may offer a rapid and efficient means for assessing. However, the molecular genetic change in nonneoplastic colonic polyp is still poorly understood. To elucidate the molecular genetic basis, We now report the results of our initial microarray data to analyze the genom pattern in patients with hyperplastic polyps of colon. METHODS: 36 samples (18 pairs of colonic polyps and normal colonic mucosa were) harvested from colonoscopic biopsy. 3 of 18 colonic polyps were pathologically identified as the serrated type of hyperplastic polyp. We used the oligonucleotide microarray technique for analysis of the expression profiles of serrated polyps and normal mucosa. For the identification of differentially expressed genes, SAM (Significance Analysis of Microarray) package method was used. The result was analysed by using global normalization, intensity dependent normalization and block-wise normalization. RESULTS: Polypectomy specimens microscopically showed the pathologically characteristic serration with a saw-teeth like luminal border (branching of the crypts). 8 genes including RHEB (Ras homolog enriched in brain), WASF2 (WAS protein family, member 2), TYRP1 (Tyrosinase-related protein 1), VSX1 (Visual system homeobox 1 homolog), ROS1 (V-ros UR2 sarcoma virus oncogene homolog 1), WEE1 (WEE1 homolog), TEC (Tec protein tyrosine kinase), TNFRSF10A (Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 10a) in serrated polyp were up-regulated by more than 10 times as compared with normal colonic mucosa. On the other hand, 6 genes including SIAT7D (Sialyltransferase 7D), DRD1 (Dopamine receptor D1), SIAT1 (Sialyltransferase 1), ITSN1 (Intersectin 1), TNFSF12 (Tumor necrosis factor superfamily, member 12), CHES1 (Checkpoint suppressor 1) were down-regulated by less than a tenth of the expression as compared with normal colonic mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Serrated polyps as a subset of hyperplastic colonic polyps were analyzed with the oligonucleotide microarray technique. We authors could identify 14 genes (8 up-regulated and 6 down-regulated genes) that showed the significant change of expression as compared with normal colonic mucosa. Specifically, we believe that current study will serve as a fundamental base to offer a bioinformative characteristics of the serrated colonic polyp in future clinical applications.

Investigation of Defecographic Findings in Patients with Pelvic Outlet Obstructive Disease

PURPOSE: Defecography is a dynamic investigation which can influence clinical decision making in patients with pelvic outlet obstructive disease (POOD). The current study was designed to establish defecographic findings in patients with POOD. Specifically, we sought to assess the physiologic characteristics of categorized types by using anorectal physiologic tests. METHODS: One hundred seven patients (disease group; 45 men, 62 women) with POOD were retrospectively categorized as type I [non-relaxation of puborectalis (NRPR) only, n=19], type II [NRPR and rectocele, n=20], type III [NRPR, rectocele, and dynamic perineal descent (PD), n=17], type IV [deformed rectocele, mild-to-moderate fixed PD, and absence of NRPR, n=29], and type V [rectocele, severe fixed PD, and absence of NRPR, n=20] on the bases of defecographic findings. The ability to evacuate, the frequency/degree of intarectal intussusception (IRI), and the size of the rectocele were evaulated in these defecographic types of POOD. Age, duration of symptoms, and the physiologic findings of anal manometry and EMG/PNTML were compared for the five types. Eighteen healthy volunteers who had no defecation difficulty were used to estimate the normal findings of defecography. RESULTS: The age and the sex showed no significant differences among the types. The duration of symptoms was gradually lengthened from type I to V (P<0.01). The ability to evacuate in patients with POOD was significantly worse (failed to effectively evacuate) compared to that in the healthy volunteers (P<0.01). The frequency of IRI was increased more and more from type I to V (P<0.01). The size of the rectocele was significantly increased in types V compared to the other types (P<0.01). Manometric and neurologic findings, including EMG/PNTML, revealed no significant differences among the types. CONCLUSIONS: Even though there were no specific differences in the findings of the anal manometric and neurologic tests, the evacuation dynamics; were different in the five defecographic categories of patients with POOD. Specifically, these differences were relevants to the presence of NRPR, rectoceles, IRI, and perineal descent.

Characteristic Findings and Their Clinical Appraisal of Proctography and Cinedefecography in Patients with Pelvic Outlet Obstructive Disease

PURPOSE: We were assessed the characteristic findings of defecography and cinedefecography in patients with pelvic outlet obstructive disease, and compared the characteristic physiologic findings between proctography and cinedefecography. METHODS: Physiologic findings of 196 patients who were performed at least two items of physiologic tests were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were categorized as rectocele (Group I: n=119), nonrelaxing puborectalis syndrome (Group II: n=58), rectoanal intussusception (Group III: n=16), significant sigmoidocele (Group IV: n=3). The proctographic and cinedefecographic features were analyzed according to disease categories. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, false positive rate, false negative rate, diagnostic rate, and reproducibility were calculated, and we analyzed the difference between proctography and cinedefecography according to the disease groups. RESULTS: On the proctographic examinations; 1) 112 patients were confirmed as a clinically significant rectocele (n=128, sensitivity; 94%, specificity; 79%, accuracy; 88%, false positive rate; 21%, false negative rate; 6%, kappa; 0.749). 2) A clinically significant nonrelaxing puborectalis were 36 patients (n=73, sensitivity; 62%, specificity; 73%, accuracy; 70%, false positive rate; 27%, false negative rate; 38%, kappa; 0.328). 3) 12 patients were confirmed as significant rectoanal intussusception (n=31, sensitivity; 75%, specificity; 89%, accuracy; 88%, false positive rate; 11%, false negative rate; 25%, kappa; 0.425). 4) 3 patients were confirmed as clinically significant sigmoidocele (n=15, sensitivity; 100%, specificity; 94%, accuracy; 94%, false positive rate; 6%, false negative rate; 0%, kappa; 0.316). On the combination of proctography and cinedefecography; 1) 117 patients were confirmed as a clinically significant rectocele (n=122, sensitivity; 98%, specificity; 94%, accuracy; 96%, false positive rate; 6%, false negative rate; 2%, kappa; 0.925). 2) A clinically significant nonrelaxing puborectalis were 50 patients (n=64, sensitivity; 86%, specificity; 90%, accuracy; 88%, false positive rate; 10%, false negative rate; 14%, kappa; 0.738). 3) 16 patients were confirmed as significant rectoanal intussusception (n=22, sensitivity; 100%, specificity; 97%, accuracy; 97%, false positive rate; 3%, false negative rate; 0%, kappa; 0.826). 4) 3 patients were confirmed as clinically significant sigmoidocele (n=9, sensitivity; 100%, specificity; 97%, accuracy; 97%, false positive rate; 3%, false negative rate; 0%, kappa; 0.488). As compared with combined study (proctography plus cinedefecography), the proctography show decreased diagnostic rates in the evaluation of rectocele (P<0.05), nonrelaxing puborectalis (P<0.01), and rectoanal intussusception (P<0.05). And, the proctography also show increased false positive rate in the evaluation of rectocele (P<0.01), nonrelaxing puborectalis (P<0.01), and rectoanal intussusception (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, proctography showed a tendency to overdiagnosis. Therefore, the combined study of proctography and cinedefecography should be taken as a diagnostic tools for pelvic outlet obstructive disease. Adhering to these findings, other anorectal physiologic studies should be added for the clinically significant diagnosis.

Biofeedback Therapy in Patients with Functional Evacuation Disorders

Biofeedback therapy has emerged as a useful adjunct for patients with functional evacuation disorders over the past decade. The goals of biofeedback retraining may vary and could depend on the underlying dysfunction. In patients with obstructive defecation, the goals are to relax the anal sphincter, improve rectoanal coordination, and improve sensory perception. Methods of biofeedback therapy varied widely between centers. However, no difference was described when EMG-based biofeedback was compared to manometry-based biofeedback, or when visual or auditory feedback was given. In regards to biofeedback adjuncts, including sensory retraining with either an intrarectal balloon, a portable home-training unit or both can be practicable. There are inconsistencies in the literature regarding the patient selection criteria for biofeedback treatment. The patient group is not homogeneous. Different case selection, different regimens and different methods of biofeedback may explain the variability in success rate. Quality research that would assist in predicting outcome is still lacking. Although no specific denominator could possibly be assigned to correctly predict the overall outcome of therapy, biofeedback is not successful in all patients with outlet obstructed constipation. Results with success rates is ranging from 8.3 percent to 100 percent. The treatment of constipation by biofeedback has been viewed with some skepticism as the low success rate may simply be a placebo effect. The majority of scepticism to therapeutic outcome are derived from entry criteria for treatment. Lower success rates have been described when entry criteria were broadened. Prebiofeedback clinical findings which are presupposed to prognostic relevance are age, gender, duration of symptoms and presence of rectal pain, lower motor neuron disease, and psychiatric problems. I feel strongly that informations about the predictive factors are vital to all physicians either performing or recommending biofeedback to their patients. If biofeedback could be undertaken according to specific criteria, we, colorectal surgeon will save a fruitless endeavour, one would expect more improvements in more patients. Additional well-designed controlled trials are needed to establish the clinical and physiologic factors.

Psychiatric Investigation by Using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory in Patients with Chronic Constipation

PURPOSE: Current study was designed to understand the personality and emotional composition of patients with chronic constipation. Specifically, the personality differences were evaluated in the ramified subgroups based on the physiologic characteristics. METHODS: Forty patients (31 females and 9 males) of a mean age of 48 (range, 16~86) years underwent the MMPI among 310 patients with chronic constipation. MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) profiles were utilized for psychologic assessment for all patients prior to making diagnosis. Three validity scales of MMPI included L (Lie scale), F (Infrequency scale), K (Suppressor scale). Ten clinical scales included HS (hypochondriasis), DP (depression), HY (hysteria), PD (psychopathic deviant), MF (masculinity- feminity), PA (paranoia), PT (psychasthenia), SC (schizophrenia), MA (mania), SI (social introversion). On the basis of findings with use of anorectal physiologic studies, subgroups were categorized as patients with rectocele (A1, n=22), patient without rectocele (A2, n=18), patients with nonrelaxing puborectalis syndrome (B1, n=10), patients without nonrelaxing puborectalis syndrome (B2, n=30). The MMPI profiles were compared between subgroup patients. RESULTS: In overall patients, mean scores for scales HS, DP were elevated as compared with mean profiles (60~65 and 45~55, respectively). Male patients showed higher mean scores for scale SI than those of female patients (male vs. female; 63.5 vs. 53.9, P<0.05). A1 group showed higher mean scores for PD scale than those of A2 group (A1 vs. A2; 57.4 vs. 49.8, P=0.01). B1 group showed higher mean scores for DP scale than those of B2 group (B1 vs. B2; 67.5 vs. 59.8, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Present series provided that the MMPI is a valuable tool for assessing the psychologic functioning of patients with chronic constipation. It has revealed a different personality and emotional composition in the subgroup patients based on the anorectal physiologic studies. An aspect of social introversion, psychopathic deviant and depression should be emphasized. These findings can provide the fundamental information for guideline of future diagnostic evaluation and therapy in the patients with chronic constipation.

Study of Capsaicin-induced Apoptosis in Human Colon Cancer Cell Lines

PURPOSE: Numerous investigations have been conducted in order to determine the potential carcinogenic or chemopreventive activity of capsaicin. The aim of this study is to characterize the effects of capsaicin on colon cancer cells, and provide valuable information concerning the application of capsaicin in chemoprevention as well as for therapeutic purposes. METHODS: CoLo320DM and LoVo cells (human colon cancer cell line) were treated with capsaicin. In order to access cell viability and altered morphology, an MTT assay was performed and the cells were microscopically examined. Decreasing DNA staining was accessed by FACS. The cells were stained with FITC labeled annexin V and analyzed by FACS to detect cellular membrane alteration during apoptosis. The cells were stained with DiOC6(3) and Hydroethidine and analyzed by FACS in order to access ROS and dleta psi m. RESULTS: Capsaicin decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Capsaicin produced a cell morphology corresponding to the apoptotic features including cell shrinkage and chromatic condensation. Capsaicin treated cells induced a loss of nuclear DNA leading to hypoploidy in a dose-dependent manner. Cells were excluded by double staining with PI and FITC labeled annexin v and detected by FACS. We show that treatment of CoLo320DM, L0Vo cells with increasing concentrations of capsaicin parallel an increase in the percentage of red fluorescent cells (HE-->Eth) that reflect ROS hypergeneration and a decrease in the percentage of green fluorescent cells that reflect delta psi m disruption. CONCLUSION: These results clearly demonstrate that capsaicin-induced colon cancer cell death is apoptotic.

Treatment Outcome in Patients with Pediatric Encopresis

PURPOSE: The causes of encopresis are complex and multifactorial. Through application of new sophisticated techniques and armamentarium, it has been possible to find more specific aspects of the anorectal function in pediatric patients with refractory defecation disorders. However, quality research of which therapeutic option could be suitable, is still lacking. The current study was designed to assess outcome of treatment according to the treatment algorithm based on the clinical and physiologic findings. METHODS: 22 patients (15 boys, 7 girls) with encopresis were analyzed, retrospectively. For exclusion of the organic cause, barium contrast study and anoscopy were carried out in all cases. Patients were categorized and made treatment algorithm by using leading symptoms and findings of anorectal physiologic tests. Treatment outcomes were analysed in the basis of respective therapeutic options. RESULTS: Patients were categorized as constipation dominant group (n=15) and incontinence dominant group (n=7). Suggested etipathogeneses were as follows; fecal impaction and/or motility disorder (n=7), overflow incontinence (n=6), sensory defect of the rectum (n=4), puborectalis incoordination (n=3), anal hypertonia (n=2). Treatment options were as follows; conventional therapy (CT) only (n=7), CT plus biofeedback (n=9), CT plus balloon sensory retraining (n=4), and CT plus internal sphincterotomy or Nitroglycerine application (n=2). All patients were undertaken a toilet training and psychologic consultation. Regarding to the therapeutic outcome, 19 (86 percent) of overall 22 patients were improved in the mean period of 2.5 (range, 0.1-7) years follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: If therapy could be undertaken according to the optional algorithm based on the clinical and physiologic findings, it could be useful guide for clinical decision making to help the therapy. Moreover, through the combination therapy including medication, psychological consultation, and biofeedback treatment, encopretic children achieve acceptable outcome with a long-term compliance.

Determination of Rectal Afferents, Based on the Analysis of Cerebral Evoked Potentials Induced by Rectal Stimulation

The rectum is a unique visceral organ, of which afferents are not so obvious. In anorectal surgery ablating the rectum and/or perirectal structure, this issue comes with significant meaning about whether to preserve patient's normal defecatory function, or not. So we planned this study to evaluate which nervous system concerns the afferents from the rectum. METHODS: We recorded cerebral evoked potential (EPs) in 16 healthy male subjects after electrical and mechanical stimulation of the rectum, and compared their waving patterns regarding latencies and amplitudes of each peak with those occuring after electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve. RESULTS: The EPs after electrical stimulation of the rectum showed distinctly different waving patterns in comparison to those after electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve. But the EPs after mechanical stimulation of the rectum showed very similar waving patterns with those after electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal afferents of mechanical stimulation seem to be somatosensory, but those of electrical stimulation seem visceral. In that sense, sensory receptors of mechanical stimulation may lie in the perirectal structure, such as pelvic floor muscle and those of electrical stimulation lie in the rectum, itself.

Physiologic Characteristics and its Clinical Significances in the Patients with Pelvic Outlet Obstruction

Current study was designed to assess the functional etiology of patients with pelvic outlet obstruction. Moreover, physiologic characteristics and theirs clinical significances were evaluated in the patients with ramified diagnosis. METHODS: 172 patients with pelvic outlet obstruction were performed 328 numbers of physiologic studies. These included cinedefecography (n=172), anal manometry (n=87), colonic transit time study (n=38), and anal EMG/PNTML (n=31). On the basis of physiologic findings, patient groups were categorized as rectocele (group I), nonrelaxing puborectalis syndrome (group II), anal dyschezia (group III), and rectoanal intussusception (group IV). The physiologic findings were compared between subgroup patients. RESULTS: Incidence of categorized patients was 51.7% (group I, n=89), 22.7% (group II, n=39), 12.2% (group III, n=21), and 8.7% (group IV, n=15), respectively. The mean age of patients with group III were lower (p<0.05) than that of overall patients. The incidence of female patients was higher in group I and the incidence of male patients was higher in group II (p<0.0001). In cinedefecography, patients with group II showed smaller anorectal angle at strain (p<0.001), at dynamic change between rest and strain (p=0.002). In anal manometry, patients with group III showed higher mean resting pressures (p=0.001), higher maximum resting pressures (p<0.001), higher mean squeeze pressures, and higher maximal voluntary contraction (p=0.003) than those of patients with other group. In neurologic study, mean value of PNTML was 2.32 +/- 0.34 (range, 1.60~3.66) msec in overall patients. The size of rectocele was increased in proportion to patient's age (r=0.229, p<0.05), number of delivery (r=0.393, p=0.001), and degree of perineal descent (r=0.231, p<0.05). The degree of perineal descent was increased in proportion to patient's age (r=0.249, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Present series provided the diagnostic ramification of pelvic outlet obstruction by using the anorectal physiologic investigations. In addition to the function of puborectalis muscle, evacuation dynamics of anorectum should be emphasized. These findings could provide the fundamental information for guideline of future therapy in the patients with obstructed defecation.

Postoperative Changes of Ultrasonographic Pyloric Mass in Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis

BACKGROUND: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is a well-recognized cause of vomiting in infancy and is easily cured by a Ramstedt pyloromyotomy. However there have been no reports on the postoperative appearance of a pyloric mass in Korea. METHODS: Twenty infants with IHPS and 20 control infants were studied ultrasonographically during the first year of life at a regular interval. According to examination intervals, the IHPS infants (n=20) were divided into three groups: Group A (3 months, n=6), B (6 months, n=7), and C (12 months, n=7). At each examination, measurements were obtained concerning the length of the pyloric canal and the muscular thickness. RESULTS: The mean preoperative length of the pylorus of the IHPS group was 19.4+/-3.64 mm, ranging from 17 to 30 mm (control: 7.73+/-2.67 mm) (p<0.0001). The mean pyloric muscle thickness of the IHPS group was 5.08+/-0.67 mm, ranging from 3.5 to 6 mm (control: 2.37+/-0.58 mm) (p<0.0001). The preoperative and postoperative measurements were subsequently compared. Postoperatively, the length of the pylorus averaged 22.0+/-2.66 mm, and the muscular thickness was 6.53+/-1.68 mm (p<0.0001). The reduction rates in pyloric length were 23.5%, 46.3%, and 53.4% for the respective groups. Also, the muscle-thickness reduction rates were 31.8%, 48.9%, and 57.8% respectively. At 6 months after the operation, the pyloric muscular thickness was in the normal control range, and the pyloric length was reduced to the normal range after 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study suggests that the pyloric mass undergoes a rapid reduction in size in the first 6 months, followed by a more gradual reduction to a normal value by 12 months after a pyloromyotomy.

Malignant Metachronous Cancers (Breast Cancer, Small Bowel Leiomyosarcoma) Associated with Von Recklinghausen Disease (NF 1)

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder that occurs once in 3,000 live births. Patients with NF1 are prone to develop malignancies, particularly neural tumors, that is, malignant schwannoma and glioma in adults. For non-neural tumors, the NF1 incidence is increased in rhabdomyosarcomas, leukemia, malignant melanomas, breast cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, and other organ cancers. The NF1 gene seems to increase the risk for carcinogenesis. A case of NF1 associated with metachronous cancers, such as breast cancer (1991) and small-bowel leiomyosarcoma (1997), in the same patient is reported. Investigation of the patient's family revealed four further cases (offsprings) of multiple neurofibromatosis. The relevant literature on the subject is reviewed.

Functional Investigation with Use of Anorectal Physiology in the Patients with Fecal Incontinence

BACKGROUND: A large amount of attention in anorectal physiologic studies has been devoted to the diagnosis of fecal incontinence. The current study was designed firstly to assess the physiologic characteristics of fecal incontinence and secondly to analyze how the physiologic findings correlate with each other. METHODS: The physiologic findings of 47 patients (24 men and 23 women) were analyzed, retrospectively. Studies included anal manometry (n=38), anal electromyography/pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) (n=30), and endoanal ultrasound (n=37). The degrees of continence were estimated by using continence grading scores (CGS) that ranged from 0 to 20 points based on the type and the frequency of incontinence. Control data were obtained from volunteers (n=23). RESULTS: The patients were categorized as having neurogenic (group I, n=25) or myogenic (group II, n=17) incontinence. Despite intensive investigations, unknown etiology was noted in 5 patients (10.4%). The CGS was not different between groups I and II. Pudendal neuropathy was found in 96% of group I and 37.5% of group II patients. Group I showed a higher value of PNTML than that of group II (2.96 1.0 msec vs. 2.07 0.48 msec, p=0.003). The CGS was proportional to the value of the PNTML in group I (r=0.476, p=0.01). However, no correlation was found between the mean PNTML and the CGS in group II. In the manometric parameters, there were no statistical differences between the values of the mean resting pressure (RP), the maximum RP, and the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) between groups I and II. The MVC was inversely proportional to the CGS in group I (r= 0.616, p=0.02) and in group II (r= 0.664, p=0.02). No correlation was found between the PNTML and the manometric parameters. When we consider the presence of a defect or a scar as an abnormal anal ultrasound finding, such findings were more frequent in group II than in group I (group I, 20% vs. group II, 88%, p<0.001, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSIONS: The value of the PNTML had relevance to the degree of symptoms in the patients with neurogenic incontinence. Specifically, the squeeze profiles of the manometric parameters were inversely related to the grade of incontinence. No correlation between the PNTML and the manometric parameters could be independently specified based on the etiology. Complementary examination by using the PNTML and anal ultrasound provided the only useful information to discriminate the etiology of incontinence.

Diagnosis of Anal Sphincter Injuries by Manometric Radial Asymmetry

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate how well anorectal manometry diagnose anal sphincter injury, especially with regard to the parameter of radial asymmetry. METHODS: Anorectal manometry were performed in 27 male patients with anal fistula of transsphincteric type. The postoperative values of each manometric parameter including radial asymmetry (RA) were compared with preoperative ones. And also, the association between the sites of functional defect assessed by cross-sectional pressure data under station pull-through (SPT) technique and those of anatomical defect made by fistulotomy operation were determined. RESULTS: Under rapid pull-through (RPT) technique, maximum resting pressure (MRP); 113.1 21.3 mmHg (preoperative value) vs 68.0 18.5 mmHg (p=.000) (postoperative value), RA of MRP; 16.7 3.7% vs 24.1 7.5% (p=.002), Maximum squeeze pressures (MSP); 199.0 35.2 mmHg, 169.6 48.7 mmHg (p=.006), RA of MSP; 15.5 3.7%, 22.8 3.5% (p=.000). Under SPT technique, MRP; 100.4 39.5 mmHg vs 71.2 34.6 mmHg (p=.000), RA of MRP; 16.3 7.9% vs 24.2 10.8% (p=.026), MSP; 299.1 71.6 mmHg vs 231.4 90.3 mmHg (p=.004), RA of MSP; 13.0 6.1% vs 22.0 8.4% (p=.001). Sites of functional defects interpreted upon SPT data were coincidental with sites of anatomical defects made by fistulotomy in 88.9% (MRP) and 92.6% (MSP) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Manometric radial asymmetry could be a useful parameter in diagnosing anal sphincter injury and locating the site of defect.

A Case of Hydrogen Peroxide Enema Induced Chemical Colitis

Hydrogen peroxide solution is commonly used for irrigating and cleaning wounds. When it is applied to tissues, catalase causes its rapid molecular degeneration with the release of oxygen bubbles. We present case report illustrating two hazards ; chemical colitis and oxygen embolus. A 29-year-old previously healthy woman presented to the bloody diarrhea and anal pain after hydrogen peroxide enema. In the colonoscopic examination, severe mucosal edema and ulceration with bleeding was noted from anus to sigmoid colon. With use of anal endosonography, multiple high level echo were noted in the internal and external anal sphincter of the upper anal canal. Microscopically, mononuclear cells were infiltrated in lamina propria and congestion. She had treatment with IV fluid, IV antibiotics and NPO. At 3rd hospital day, anal pain was disappeared. Bloody stool was disappeared next day. At 8th hospital day, mucosal edema and ulceration were disappeared on colonoscopic examination. Recovery was full and the patient was discharged at nine days after the episode.