Introduction

Problems involving bowel evacuation are the most common digestive complaints in the United States. Women constitute 80% of patients. Interest in anorectal and pelvic floor dysfunction as a cause of bowel related symptoms is increasing, but the pathophysiological mechanisms involved are still not fully understood.

Defecography is a dynamic radiological examination which produces an anatomic depiction of the changes in the rectum and anal canal, and provides functional information about the movements of the pelvic floor, particularly the puborectalis muscle, at rest, during voluntary contraction, and with defecation. In association with anorectal electromyography and manometry, defecography is playing an increasing role in the clinical evaluation of patients with evacuation dysfunction.