Electromyographic findings of paradoxical puborectalis contraction correlate poorly with cinedefecography

Abstract. Background: Both intra-anal sponge electromyography (SEMG) and needle electromyography (NEMG) are used to diagnose paradoxical puborectalis contraction (PPC). The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the correlation among SEMG and NEMG and cinedefecography (CD) in the diagnosis of PPC. Methods: Between 1992 and 1999, a total of 261 constipated patients underwent both CD and EMG: 64 had NEMG while 197 had SEMG. PPC was diagnosed by EMG when there was failure to achieve a significant decrease in electrical activity of the puborectalis muscle during attempted evacuation. CD criteria for PPC included lack of straightening of the anorectal angle or persistence of the puborectalis impression during evacuation. CD was considered diagnostic and EMG results were thus compared with those of CD. Agreement was calculated using the kappa statistics () for concordance. Results: Both NEMG and SEMG had low positive predictive rates (33% in NEMG, 28% in SEMG) and high negative predictive rates (91% in NEMG, and 78% in SEMG) when correlated with CD findings. Agreement between NEMG and CD was noted in 46 of 64 patients (72%, =0.274) while there was agreement between SEMG and CD in 120 of 197 patients (61%; =0.067); p>0.05 needle vs. sponge. Conclusion: Although both NEMG and SEMG have a low positive predictive values, they have high negative predictive value for PPC. Therefore, neither NEMG nor SEMG alone are optimal tests for diagnosing the presence of PPC.This work was presented in poster format at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, 19–12 July 2000, Brighton, UK.     

Dyssynergic defecation may play an important role in postoperative Hirschsprung's disease patients with severe persistent constipation : Analysis of a case series

Background

After surgery for Hirschsprung's disease (HD) the majority of patients have satisfactory clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, a substantial number of patients remain who suffer from severe persistent constipation. Current consensus attributes these complaints to the hallmarks of HD. In non-HD patients a cause for severe constipation is dyssynergic defecation.

Methods

Retrospectively, we reviewed the medical records of ten postoperative HD patients with severe persistent constipation who had undergone extensive anorectal function tests to diagnose the reason for the constipation. We analyzed the results of these tests.

Results

During the last three years, ten postoperative HD patients with severe persistent constipation were given extensive anorectal function tests. All ten patients were diagnosed with dyssynergic defecation. The ages at the time of diagnosis ranged from 7 to 19 years with a median age of 12 years. Signs of an enlarged rectum were seen in all ten patients, with a maximum measured value of 845 mL.

Conclusions

Patients with HD may also suffer from dyssynergic defecation. It is important to consider this possibility when dealing with severe persistent constipation in postoperative HD patients. Viable options for treating dyssynergic defecation are available that could prevent irreversible long-term complications.     

Das Parkinson-Syndrom als Modellerkrankung verschiedener Obstipationsformen

Constipation is a common problem in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. In Parkinson’s disease, the degenerative process may include both the nucleus of the vagal nerve in the brainstem and Onuf’s nucleus in the sacral spinal cord. Reduced vagal tone may inhibit gastrointestinal motility up to the left colonic flexure. Degeneration of the sacral parasympathetic neurons may reduce motility of the remaining segment of colon and sigmoid. In addition, degeneration of the myenteric and submucosal plexus may lead to intestinal atony. Disease-related immobility as well as the administration of anti-Parkinsonian medication contribute to constipation. The extrapyramidal disorder of anismus is another cause of outlet constipation. As all modes of dysfunction are also observed in non-Parkinsonian patients. Parkinson’s disease can be regarded a model disease for various types of constipation. The study of constipation in Parkinsonian patients is therefore highly suitable to evaluate novel diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.     

超声排粪造影在盆底失弛缓便秘诊断中的价值

目的在前期建立的超声排粪造影基础上,以肛管直肠测压（ARM）为标准以此确定超声排粪造影（EDF）在盆底失弛缓疾病（Anismus）上的临床分度,并分析盆底失弛缓便秘患者临床症状与临床分度之间的相关性。 方法收集2018年12月至2021年12月于南京中医药大学第二附属医院肛肠诊疗中心就诊的97例盆底失弛缓便秘患者,在获得患者知情同意下对97例患者都进行肛管直肠测压（ARM）、慢性便秘严重程度评分量表（CSS）及超声排粪造影检查（EDF）。首先,将肛管直肠测压诊断为反常收缩病人进行CSS量表评分,再进行超声排粪造影,将CSS量表评分结果及EDF所测得数值进行线性回归,得到线性回归方程,计算出盆底失弛缓在超声排粪造影上的临床分度。在此基础上,再将EDF临床分度与其患者便秘症状进行Logistic回归分析研究,探索在EDF下盆底失弛缓患者临床分度与临床症状的相关性。 结果线性回归分析得出回归方程：y=0.586x-1.191（P＜0.05）,计算出EDF的盆底失弛缓分度为：轻度1°＜ɑ≤5°,中度5°＜ɑ≤10°,重度10°＜ɑ≤16°;Logistic回归分析结果：盆底失弛缓患者的EDF临床分度与患者是否自主排便、排便次数、肛门坠胀、腹（胀）痛无明显相关性（P＞0.05）;而与排便费力、排便梗阻感、排便不尽感有较强的相关性（P＜0.05）。 结论盆底失弛缓患者EDF临床分度与临床症状如排便不尽感、排便梗阻感、排便费力密切相关,提示EDF是诊断盆底失弛缓的有效手段;下一步需要通过多中心研究扩大样本量,进一步确定其价值。     

Excellent response rate of anismus to botulinum toxin if rectal prolapse misdiagnosed as anismus (‘pseudoanismus’) is excluded

Aim Anismus causes obstructed defecation as a result of inappropriate contraction of the puborectalis/external sphincter. Proctographic failure to empty after 30 s is used as a simple surrogate for simultaneous electromyography/proctography. Botulinum toxin is theoretically attractive but efficacy is variable. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin to treat obstructed defecation caused by anismus. Method Botulinum toxin was administered, under local anaesthetic, into the puborectalis/external sphincter of patients with proctographic anismus. Responders (resolution followed by recurrence of obstructed defecation over a 1‐ to 2‐month period) underwent repeat injection. Nonresponders underwent rectal examination under anaesthetic (EUA). EUA‐diagnosed rectal prolapse was graded using the Oxford Prolapse Grade 1–5. Results Fifty‐six patients were treated with botulinum toxin. Twenty‐two (39%) responded initially and 21/22 (95%) underwent repeat treatment. At a median follow up of 19.2 (range, 7.0–30.4) months, 20/21 (95%) had a sustained response and required no further treatment. Isolated obstructed defecation symptoms (OR = 7.8, P = 0.008), but not proctographic or physiological factors, predicted response on logistic regression analysis. In 33 (97%) of 34 nonresponders, significant abnormalities were demonstrated at EUA: 31 (94%) had a grade 3–5 rectal prolapse, one had internal anal sphincter myopathy and one had a fissure. Exclusion of these alternative diagnoses revised the initial response rate to 96%. Conclusion Simple proctographic criteria overdiagnose anismus and underdiagnose rectal prolapse. This explains the published variable response to botulinum toxin. Failure to respond should prompt EUA seeking undiagnosed rectal prolapse. A response to an initial dose of botulinum toxin might be considered a more reliable diagnosis of anismus than proctography.     

盆底失弛缓综合征患者肛管直肠动力学改变与便秘关系的研究

为探讨盆底失弛缓综合征患者肛管直肠动力学改变与便秘的关系,本研究采用多导单囊肛管直肠功能测定仪对30例盆底失弛缓综合征患者的肛管直肠压力、直肠感知阈值、直肠最大耐受量和肛管一直肠抑制阈值进行检测,并与正常人进行对比分析。结果显示,与正常人相比,盆底失弛缓综合征患者的肛管舒张压降低,肛管静息压、直肠静息压、肛管最大收缩_压、直肠感知阈值、直肠最大耐受量及肛管一直肠抑制阈值均增高,差异均有统计学意义,P〈0．05。结果表明,盆底失迟缓综合征患者的肛管直肠动力学改变可能是形成便秘的原因之一。     

Comparative study between botulinum toxin injection and partial division of puborectalis for treating anismus

Objectives  The objective of this study was to compare the results of partial division of puborectalis (PDPR) versus local botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection in treating patients with anismus. Patients and methods  This prospective randomized study included 30 male patients suffering from anismus. Diagnosis was made by clinical examination, barium enema, colonoscopy, colonic transit time, anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion test, defecography, and electromyography. Patients were randomized into: group I which included 15 patients who were injected with BTX-A and group II which included 15 patients who underwent bilateral PDPR. Follow-up was conducted for about 1 year. Improvement was considered when patients returned to their normal habits. Results  BTX-A injection achieved initial success in 13 patients (86.7%). However, long-term success persisted only in six patients (40%). This was in contrast to PDPR which achieved initial success in all patients (100%) with a long-term success in ten patients (66.6%). Recurrence was observed in seven patients (53.8%) and five patients (33.4%) following BTX-A injection and PDPR, respectively. Minor degrees of incontinence were confronted in two patients (13.3%) following PDPR. Conclusion  BTX-A injection seems to be successful for temporary treatment of anismus.     

Transanal approach to rectocele repair may compromise anal sphincter pressures

PURPOSE: This study prospectively assessed the functional results, particularly anal sphincter impairment, following transanal repair of rectocele for chronic intractable constipation. METHOD: Twenty-one consecutive women (mean age, 47.7 (standard error of the mean, 2.7) years) had the diagnosis of rectocele obstructing defecation made on synchronized anal manometry, electromyography, and cinedefecography. All underwent a standardized transanal repair with controlled anal stretching (maximum of 4 cm) from self-retaining anal retractors. The clinical function and anorectal manometry were assessed before surgery and were repeated six months later. RESULTS: All 21 patients were subjectively satisfied with the relief from constipation after surgery. There were significant improvements in the straining at defecation (before, n=19; after, n=3;P=0.001), need to digitate per vagina (before, n=16; after, n=0;P=0.001), stool frequency (before, 3.8 (0.7) times weekly; after, 8.6 (1.2);P=0.004), and laxative requirements (before, n=7; after, n=0;P=0.03). Although none were clinically incontinent, there was a mean 28 mmHg impairment in resting (P<0.05) and 42.6 mmHg impairment in maximum squeeze anal pressures (P<0.05) after operations. There was no other morbidity. CONCLUSION: Transanal rectocele repair effectively improves constipation problems, at the risk of impaired anal sphincter function. Although clinical incontinence was minimum, an alternative approach to rectocele repair should be considered when anal sphincters are lax.     

Cinedefecographic evidence of difficult evacuation in constipated patients with complex symptoms

Patients with constipation may have various pelvic complaints of difficult evacuation coexisting with infrequent evacuation and other abdominal complaints, and the overlapping of symptoms makes it difficult to select appropriate therapy based on clinical history and routine office examination alone. Cinedefecography is an objective method for examining patients who have complex subjective symptoms. This study assessed the value of cinedefecography for evaluating patients with constipation with multiple complaints. We divided 185 patients with constipation into two those with (group 1) or without (group 2) cinedefecographic evidence of difficult evacuation. These groups were compared relative to complaints, manometric results, cinedefecography findings, and the success of biofeedback treatment. Group 1 patients were further evaluated according to the type of abnormal findings: sigmoidocele, rectocele, intussusception, and perineal descent. We found no significant differences in patient complaints between the groups. However, there were more patients in group 2 with intussusception than in group 1; there were also significant differences between the groups in mean resting pressure, maximum resting pressure, and maximum squeeze pressure. In group 1 patients with rectocele complained more frequently of excessive straining, and those with intussusception complained more frequently of incomplete evacuation. Sensory threshold and maximal tolerable capacity were significantly higher in patients with intussusception. Rectocele was predominant in women, and biofeedback treatment was extremely advantageous (86%) for patients in group 1 with a rectocele in association with other pathology. Whether the intussusception or the descent causes decreased mean resting and mean and maximum squeeze pressures is unknown but is an additional and potentially important finding which needs further elucidation for it to have therapeutic significance. Accepted: 11 October 1999     

Anorectal Physiology in Solitary Ulcer Syndrome: A Case-Matched Series

PURPOSE Solitary ulcer syndrome is a rare condition characterized by inflammation and chronic ulcer of the rectal wall in patients suffering from outlet constipation. Despite similar surgical options (rectopexy, anterior resection), solitary ulcer syndrome may differ from overt rectal prolapse with regard to symptoms and pathogenesis. The present work analyzed differences between these conditions in a case-control physiology study. METHODS From 1997 to 2002, 931 consecutive subjects were investigated in a single physiology unit for anorectal functional disorders. Standardized questionnaires, anorectal physiology, and evacuation proctography were included in a prospective database. Diagnosis of solitary ulcer syndrome was based on both symptoms and anatomic features in 25 subjects with no overt rectal prolapse (21 females and 4 males; mean age, 37.2 ± 15.7 years) and no past history of anorectal surgery. They were compared with age-matched and gender-matched subjects: 25 with outlet constipation (also matched on degree of internal procidentia), 25 with overt rectal prolapse without any mucosal change, and 14 with overt rectal prolapse and mucosal changes. RESULTS Subjects with solitary ulcer syndrome reported symptomatic levels (digitations, pain, incontinence) similar to those of patients with outlet constipation, but they had significantly more constipation and less incontinence than patients with overt rectal prolapse. Compared with each of the three control groups (dyschezia, rectal prolapse without mucosal change, and rectal prolapse with mucosal change), subjects with solitary ulcer syndrome more frequently had an increasing anal pressure at strain (15 vs. 5, 3, and 1, respectively ; P < 0.01) and a paradoxical puborectalis contraction (15 vs. 9, 1, and 1, respectively; P < 0.05). With respect to evacuating proctography, complete rectal emptying was achieved less frequently in this group (5 vs. 12, 23, and 10, respectively; P < 0.05). Compared with patients with overt rectal prolapse, mean resting and squeezing anal pressures were significantly higher in both groups of subjects with solitary ulcer syndrome and with outlet constipation. Prevalence and levels of anatomic disorders (perineal descent, rectocele) did not differ among the four groups except for rectal prolapse grade and prevalence of enterocele (higher in overt rectal prolapse group). Interestingly, and despite matched controls for degree of intussusception, individuals with solitary ulcer syndrome had circular internal procidentia more often compared with those suffering from outlet constipation without mucosal lesions (15 vs. 8, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION This case-controlled study quantifies functional anal disorders in patients suffering from solitary ulcer syndrome. Despite no proven etiologic factor, sphincter-obstructed defecation and circular internal procidentia both may play an important part in the pathogenesis and an exclusive surgical approach may not be appropriate in this context. Presented at the meeting of the American Gastroenterology Association, New Orleans, Louisiana, May 18, 2004.