High-resolution anorectal manometry and dynamic pelvic magnetic resonance imaging are complementary technologies.
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Dynamic pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (DP-MRI) offers a comprehensive evaluation of pelvic organ structure in addition to functional information regarding evacuation. Opportunity to apply this technology can be limited due to regional lack of availability. Ideally, clues from standard anorectal testing could predict abnormalities on DP-MRI, leading to its efficient use. The aim of this study is to determine whether high-resolution anorectal manometry (HR-ARM) correlates with findings on DP-MRI.


METHODS
This is a retrospective study of HR-ARM performed on patients with constipation who also underwent DP-MRI. Studies were reviewed for significant findings including posterior pelvic organ prolapse, rectocele > 3 cm, rectal intussusception, and anorectal angle. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient, Student's t-test, and Fisher's exact test.


RESULTS
Twenty-three patients undergoing HR-ARM (age range 25-78) also underwent DP-MRI. All were female; 76% were Caucasian. Twenty had significant structural findings: small pelvic prolapse (n = 2), moderate pelvic prolapse (n = 10), large pelvic prolapse (n = 9), rectocele (n = 8), or rectal intussusception (n = 3). Only intrarectal pressure on HR-ARM weakly correlated with size of rectocele (r = 0.46; P = 0.03) and degree of pelvic organ prolapse (r = 0.48; P = 0.02). The remainder of the HR-ARM parameters did not significantly correlate with DP-MRI findings. Patients with dyssynergy were not more likely to have rectoceles > 3 cm (44.4% versus 35.7%; P = 0.5) or large prolapses (44.4% versus 50%, P = 1.0), compared with those without dyssynergy, on HR-ARM.


CONCLUSION
We were unable to find a correlation between HR-ARM findings and structural pelvic defects on DP-MRI. Therefore, these two technologies provide complementary information in the evaluation of defecatory dysfunction.
['Jodorkovsky|Daniela|D|', 'Macura|Katarzyna J|KJ|', 'Gearhart|Susan L|SL|', 'Dunbar|Kerry B|KB|', 'Stein|Ellen M|EM|', 'Clarke|John O|JO|']
D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D001003:Anal Canal D003248:Constipation D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007089:Image Enhancement D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging D008297:Male D008365:Manometry D008875:Middle Aged D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse D020047:Rectocele D012007:Rectum D012189:Retrospective Studies
magnetic resonance imaging advanced technology applied therapeutics colonic disorders colonic motility gastroenterology