Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to profile patients who undergo defecography, by age and gender, as well as to describe the main imaging and diagnostic findings in this population.Materials and MethodsThis was a retrospective, descriptive study of 39 patients, conducted between January 2012 and February 2014. The patients were evaluated in terms of age, gender, and diagnosis. They were stratified by age, and continuous variables are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. All possible quantitative defecography variables were evaluated, including rectal evacuation, perineal descent, and measures of the anal canal.ResultsThe majority (95%) of the patients were female. Patient ages ranged from 18 to 82 years (mean age, 52 ± 13 years): 10 patients were under 40 years of age; 18 were between 40 and 60 years of age; and 11 were over 60 years of age. All 39 of the patients evaluated had abnormal radiological findings. The most prevalent diagnoses were rectocele (in 77%) and enterocele (in 38%). Less prevalent diagnoses were vaginal prolapse, uterine prolapse, and Meckel's diverticulum (in 2%, for all).ConclusionAlthough defecography is performed more often in women, both genders can benefit from the test. Defecography can be performed in order to detect complex disorders such as uterine and rectal prolapse, as well as to detect basic clinical conditions such as rectocele or enterocele.

Highlights

  • Defecography is a radiographic method for the study of defecation that provides images of morphological and functional changes in the pelvis and anorectal segment

  • A total of 14 diagnoses were made, the most prevalent rectocele (Figure 2, shown during evacuation), which was observed in 30 patients (77%)

  • Rectal prolapse was identified in 13 patients (33.30%) and puborectalis muscle flaccidity was identified in an equal number of patients

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Summary

Introduction

Defecography is a radiographic method for the study of defecation that provides images of morphological and functional changes in the pelvis and anorectal segment. It is a valuable method for the study of the physiology of the pelvic dynamics of colorectal disorders such as dyskinesia, constipation, fecal incontinence, anal pain, and tenesmus[1]. The first reports of radiological studies of the pelvic dynamics during evacuation were by Lennart Walldén, in 1952.

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