The utility of endovaginal sonography in the evaluation of fecal incontinence

OBJECTIVE The endoanal sonography in female patients with faecal incontinence is sometimes difficult and can lead to diagnostic errors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of endovaginal sonography in such cases. MATERIAL AND METHOD Thirty female patients complaining of faecal incontinence are included in the study. Anal endosonography was performed in all of them in a single ambulatory session, pictures were taken from all along the anal and results were analyzed afterward. Vaginal endosonography was then performed using the same equipment. Result from both techniques were compared. RESULTS Endoanal sonography was performed in all 30 patients. In 17 cases no anomalies were found. In 3 patients a simple internal anal sphincter defect was found. One case showed a lateral lesion in both sphincters. Six cases presented anterior external defect and in the rest 3 cases a clear view of the anterior wall was impossible. Vaginal endosonography shows a clear image of the anal canal in 23 out of 30 patients. In two cases changed the results of anal endosonography. CONCLUSION In the study of faecal incontinence, despite of its technical limitations, endovaginal ultrasound could be of help when the anterior wall of the anal canal is not properly defined.