TY - JOUR
T1 - Diagnostic testing in fecal incontinence
AU - Kumar, Anjana
AU - Rao, Satish S.C.
PY - 2003/10
Y1 - 2003/10
N2 - Fecal incontinence is a common problem that disproportionately affects women and the elderly and has a significant impact on the quality of life. Incontinence is often multifactorial. Anorectal manometry, anal endosonography, magnetic resonance imaging, pudendal nerve latency, and electromyography provide morphologic and physiologic assessments of the internal and external anal sphincters, rectal motor and sensory function, rectal compliance, and rectoanal reflexes. This information, in concert, provides clues to the pathophysiology of fecal incontinence and may help to guide medical, surgical, or biofeedback therapy. These tests have also been used to assess the effectiveness of the therapeutic modalities. No data are available on the cost-effectiveness of diagnostic testing in fecal incontinence. Newer techniques, including electrophysiologic testing and morphologic imaging of the anorectum, are being pursued.
AB - Fecal incontinence is a common problem that disproportionately affects women and the elderly and has a significant impact on the quality of life. Incontinence is often multifactorial. Anorectal manometry, anal endosonography, magnetic resonance imaging, pudendal nerve latency, and electromyography provide morphologic and physiologic assessments of the internal and external anal sphincters, rectal motor and sensory function, rectal compliance, and rectoanal reflexes. This information, in concert, provides clues to the pathophysiology of fecal incontinence and may help to guide medical, surgical, or biofeedback therapy. These tests have also been used to assess the effectiveness of the therapeutic modalities. No data are available on the cost-effectiveness of diagnostic testing in fecal incontinence. Newer techniques, including electrophysiologic testing and morphologic imaging of the anorectum, are being pursued.
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U2 - 10.1007/s11894-003-0054-2
DO - 10.1007/s11894-003-0054-2
M3 - Review article
C2 - 12959722
AN - SCOPUS:1542496193
SN - 1522-8037
VL - 5
SP - 406
EP - 413
JO - Current Gastroenterology Reports
JF - Current Gastroenterology Reports
IS - 5
ER -