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Updated: May 22, 2026

Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Published on: April 17, 2019
[The method of radiographic examination anorectal area]
Purpose:
Puborectal muscle (PRM) plays an important role in the continence. Its function is impaired in chronic constipation, fecal incontinence, especially after anorectal surgery. Assessment of PRM condition by the measurement of anorectal angle is not precise, the defecography requires special equipment and is associated with high doses of radiation. The purpose of this study is to propose another method of evaluation of anorectal function free of the above mentioned disadvantages.
Material And Methods:
The analysis of 475 studies of patients of all ages, including 79 without pathology anorectal area and 396 patients with different pathologies was done. They were examined by a method that differs from the usual barium enema by placing of radiopaque marker near the anus.
Results And Discussion:
The weakness of PRM manifested by penetration of barium into the anal canal behind the tip of the enema. The prominent shortening of the anal canal, compared to age-related normal figures indicates the PRM failure. The finding of the anal canal shortening has the same diagnostic value as the perineum distendion revealed by defecography. The proposed method is simple, accurate, and does not apply large dose of radiation.
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