Relationship Between External Anal Sphincter Atrophy at Endoanal Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Clinical, Functional, and Anatomic Characteristics in Patients With Fecal Incontinence

Abstract

External anal sphincter atrophy at endoanal magnetic resonance imaging was depicted in 62 percent of patients, varying from mild to severe. Because increasing levels of atrophy were associated with impaired squeeze function, further studies are needed to evaluate whether grading atrophy is clinically valuable in selecting patients for anal sphincter repair.