Gastrointestinal Radiology > Procedures > Defecography > Defecography (15)


Defecography (cont.)

Anorectal Disorders Exhibiting Pathologic Defecograms (cont.)
Incontinence
  • Defecography is difficult to perform in incontinent patients because they are unable to retain the barium paste while going from the stretcher to the commode.
  • Classically in this condition, defecography shows an open anal canal due to anal sphincter hypotonia and an abnormally increased ARA (>130°) due to a hypotonic puborectalis muscle.
  • However, several studies indicate that incontinent patients may or may not have an abnormally increased ARA at rest or an abnormal excursion of the anorectal junction.