Using the Brink score to predict postpartum anal incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether antepartum pelvic floor muscle strength, as measured by the Brink scale, predicts postpartum anal incontinence. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective cohort study of primigravid women used validated questionnaires and standardized pelvic examinations to evaluate subjects during the third trimester and at 2 postpartum time points. RESULTS: Of the initial 129 subjects, 102 and 81 completed 2 week and 6 month postpartum visits. 35% had cesarean deliveries. The antepartum prevalence of fecal incontinence (14%) did not differ significantly from the postpartum (17% at 2 weeks, 11% at 6 months). However, the prevalence of flatal incontinence fell from antepartum (65%) to postpartum (47% at 2 weeks, P = .001; 49% at 6 months, P = .012). Mean Brink score decreased postpartum; no correlations were found between Brink score and questionnaire scores. CONCLUSION: Anal incontinence symptoms are common in the third trimester of a first pregnancy and may regress or resolve after delivery. Brink score did not predict postpartum anal incontinence.

Reference lines in dynamic magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic floor.

OBJECTIVE: : To compare the variability in two commonly used reference lines in pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the pubococcygeal line (PCL) and the sacrococcygeal to inferior pubis (SCIPP) line, with respect to their distance from pelvic floor points of interest. METHODS: : We obtained pelvic MR images of 20 asymptomatic nulliparous women who are part of an ongoing pelvic floor nerve injury postpartum study. The subjects underwent a high-resolution two-dimensional, T2-weighted sagittal pelvic MRI in the supine position using a GE Signa scanner with a body phased-array coil. We also obtained dynamic T2-weighted sagittal MR images in supine position during Kegel and Valsalva maneuvers. Using the midsagittal image, we measured the length of two reference lines: the PCL and the more cephalad SCIPP line. From each line, we then measured the perpendicular distance to the bladder neck and to the posterior margin of the anorectal angle (M-line). We compared the mean values of all measurements between the two reference lines with paired Student t tests. RESULT: : The SCIPP line (mean [SD], 11.60 [0.91] cm) is longer than the PCL (mean [SD], 10.54 [0.85] cm) at rest (P < 0.001). There is no significant change in length from resting to Kegel maneuver or from resting to Valsalva maneuver in either reference line. Only the resting to Valsalva maneuver for the M-line was significantly different between the 2 reference lines (P = 0.02). The resting to Kegel for the perpendicular distance to the bladder neck and the M-line was not significantly different between the two lines. CONCLUSIONS: : Both reference lines remain stable during pelvic floor maneuvers.

Effects of dietary saw palmetto on the prostate of transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate model (TRAMP).

BACKGROUND: Several of the proposed mechanisms for the actions of the liposterolic extract of saw palmetto (SPE) are exerted on known risk factors for prostate cancer (CaP). This study investigated whether SPE could prevent the progression of CaP in a transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model. METHODS: Two different doses of SPE designed to deliver 50 mg/kg/day SPE and 300 mg/kg/day SPE were administered in a custom diet to TRAMP mice for 12 or 24 weeks. Body and organ weights were used to evaluate toxicity, and radioimmunoassay was used to measure plasma and tissue androgen levels to monitor effects of SPE on 5alpha reductase activity. Prostate tissues were evaluated histologically to determine the effect of treatment on tumor grade, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. RESULTS: Treatment with 300 mg/kg/day SPE from 4 to 24 weeks of age significantly reduced the concentration of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the prostate and resulted in a significant increase in apoptosis and significant decrease in pathological tumor grade and frank tumor incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with SPE may be effective in controlling CaP tumorigenesis. SPE suppression of prostatic DHT levels lends support to the hypothesis that inhibition of the enzyme 5alpha-reductase is a mechanism of action of this substance.