The usefulness of biplanar endosonography of the anal canal was evaluated. Twenty women with fecal incontinence underwent endosonography of the anal canal. All examinations were performed using both sector and sagittal endorectal probes. Images were obtained in the axial and sagittal planes. Isolated external anal sphincter tears were missed on axial images in 3 out of 10 cases. In all 10 cases, the sagittal scans confirmed external anal sphincter defects. Routine scanning of the anal canal in the axial and sagittal planes increases the detection rate of external anal sphincter defects on endosonography.
1. Deen KI, Kumar D, Williams JG, et al: Anal sphincter defects: Correlation between endoanal ultrasound and surgery. Ann Surg1993;2:201-205.
2.
2. Papachrysostomou M, Pye SD, Wild SR, et al: Anal endosonography: Which endoprobe?Br J Radiol1992;65:715-717.
3.
3. Sultan AH, Kamm MA, Hudson CN, et al: Endosonography of the anal sphincters: Normal anatomy and comparison with manometry. Clin Radiol1994;49:368-374.
4.
4. Hussain SM, Stoker J, Schouten WR, et al: Fistula in ano: Endoanal sonography versus endoanal MR imaging in classification. Radiology1996;200:475-481.
5.
5. deSouza NM, Puni RK, Kmiot WA, et al: MRI of the anal sphincter. Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography1995;19:745-751.
6.
6. Schafer A, Enck P, Furst G, et al: Anatomy of the anal sphincters: Comparison of anal sonography to magnetic resonance imaging. Dis Colon Rectum1994;37:777-781.
7.
7. Frudinger A, Bartram CI, Kamm MA: Transvaginal versus anal endosonography for detecting damage to the anal sphincters. AJR Am J Roentgenol1997;168:1435-1438.
8.
8. Deen KI, Kumar D, Williams JG, et al: The prevalence of anal sphincter defects in fecal incontinence: A prospective endosconic study. Gut1993;34:685-688.
9.
9. Felt-Bersma RJF, vanBaren R, Koorevaar M, et al: Anal sphincter: Unsuspected sphincter defects shown by anal endosonography after anorectal surgery. Dis Colon Rectum1995;38:249-253.
10.
10. Alexander AA, Liu J, Merton DA, et al: Fecal incontinence: Transvaginal US evaluation of anatomic causes. Radiology1996;199:529-532.
11.
11. Campbell DM, Behan M, Donnelly VS, et al: Endosonographic assessment of postpartum anal sphincter injury using a 120 degree sector scanner. Clin Radiol1996;51:559-561.
12.
12. Burnett SJD, Speakman CTM, Kamm MA, et al: Confirmation of endosonographic detection of external anal sphincter defects by simultaneous electromyographic mapping. Br J Surg1991;78:448-450.
