Role of three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound in assessing the anal sphincter morphology of female patients with chronic proctalgia

Abstract

AIM: To assess the role of three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound (3D-EAUS) for morphological assessment of the anal sphincter of female patients with chronic proctalgia (CP). METHODS: In this unmatched case control study, 30 consecutive female patients with CP and 25 normal women (control group) were enrolled. 3D-EAUS was performed in all subjects. Thickness and length of internal anal sphincter (IAS), thickness of puborectalis muscle (PR), length of the external anal sphincter (EAS) plus PR, and puborectalis angle were measured and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The association of greater PR thickness and paradoxical contraction of PR with CP suggest their potential value as markers of CP.