[Radiologic diagnosis of chronic constipation and outlet obstruction]

The aim of this review article is to present the role and extent of gastrointestinal radiology in adults with chronic obstipation and stool outlet obstruction. The radiological investigations are well established second-line diagnostic procedures. Special attention is given to the indications as well as to the imaging techniques which include barium enema, measurement of colon transit time and dynamic colpocystorectoviscerography. New emerging modalities such as functional MR Imaging provide an objective, unifying diagnostic approach to the pelvic floor and the colon. This will contribute to an improved perception of the composite entity of the pelvic floor and of the interactions of its adjacent structures. Consequently the longstanding "compartmentalization" practiced by the different medical specialties might be avoided in the future.