Image Spectrum of Anal Ultrasound in Patients with Peri Anal Disease

Endoanal ultrasonography has recently emerged as a popular diagnostic modality for mapping and imaging the anal sphincter. This procedure can be performed as an outpatient procedure; it is relatively quick and virtually painless. The imaging typically is performed in a proximal to distal manner with defining a variety of levels of the anal canal as it progresses. Anal ultrasond can provide a detailed image of the anal sphincter musculature. The internal anal sphincter appears endosonographically as a hypoechoic circular band that is most prominently seen at the level of the mid-anal canal. The external anal sphincter appears as a thicker circular mixed echogenic band outside of the hypoechoic internal sphincter. Anal ultrasond can be used to evaluate patients with anal fistulas with or without abscess. Imaging is performed and the fistulous tracts or abscesses are identified by hypoechogenicity within the external sphincter muscle or the ischiorectal fossa. Its ability to clearly image the anal sphincters has allowed its use for the evaluation of anal fistulas. Moreover, anal ultrasound has emerged as the technique of choice for imaging the anal sphincters and for evaluating incontinence. Each of the individual physiologic tests offers valuable information that is relevant to the continence mechanism, and the ultrasound yields results that are complementary to other tests. Ultrasound serves as a surveillance tool to monitor the results after sphincterplasty. We illustrate the endo-anal sonographic features of various anal diseases and the ultrasound-anatomic correlation for the anus.

Neuromodulación sacra para el tratamiento de la incontinencia anal. Experiencia piloto prospectiva en Argentina / Sacral neuromodulation in fecal incontinence. A pilot prospective experience in Argentina

INTRODUCTION: Anal incontinence is a severe physical and emotional condition that affects quality of life. Its treatment with neuromodulation, that consists in sacral roots electrical stimulation, has became a therapeutic option. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to present the surgical technique and the first prospective experience in neuromodulation for fecal incontinence in Argentina. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four females with severe fecal incontinence (mean score 17/20) were included. Anorectal physiology testing and anal ultrasound were performed before surgery. Due to failed medical treatment and the presence of an intact anal sphincter, sacral neuromodulation was indicated. After temporary sacral nerve evaluation, definitive neuromodulator was implanted. RESULTS: After 13 months the incontinence score and the number of weekly escapes decrese from 17/20 to 1.7/20 (p = 0.059) and from 62 to 0.2 (p = 0.059). Quality of life scores also improves but not statiscally significative. CONCLUSIONS: Sacral neuromodulation in fecal incontinence is useful. It is effective in patients who had failed maximum conservative therapies with the advantage of testing before definitive.

Introducción: La incontinencia anal constituye un severo trastorno físico y emocional que altera y limita la calidad de vida de quienes la padecen. Su tratamiento mediante neuromodulación, que consiste en la estimulación eléctrica de las raíces sacras, se ha convertido en una opción terapéutica válida. Objetivo: Presentar la técnica y la primera experiencia piloto prospectiva realizada en Argentina con neuromodulación sacra para el tratamiento de la incontinencia anal. Pacientes y métodos: Se trataron 4 pacientes de sexo femenino con incontinencia anal severa (score promedio de 17/20). Fueron estudiadas mediante manometría anorrectal, ecografía esfintérica y evaluación neurofisiológica del piso pelviano. Debido a la refractariedad a los tratamientos convencionales y a la indemnidad anatómica muscular se indicó neuromodulación sacra mediante la colocación de un electrodo estimulador cuatripolar. Se llevó a cabo la prueba de estimulación nerviosa transitoria y habiendo obtenido resultados satisfactorios, se colocó el implante definitivo. Resultados: Luego de 13 meses de seguimiento promedio el score de incontinencia disminuyó de 17/20 a 1.7/20 (p= 0.059) y el número de escapes semanales de 6.2 a 0.2 (p=0.059). También se observó una mejoría en la calidad de vida que no se vio reflejada estadísticamente. Conclusiones: La neuromodulación sacra es un procedimiento útil para el tratamiento de la incontinencia anal. Ha demostrado ser efectiva en aquellos pacientes refractarios a tratamientos convencionales con la ventaja de poder evaluar su respuesta antes del implante definitivo. Presenta baja morbilidad y corta internación.