Fibre density in idiopathic ano-rectal incontinence

Fibre density (FD) was measured in the external anal sphincter (EAS) in 54 patients with idiopathic anal incontinence and compared to normative data from a control group of 18 patients. The aim of the study was primarily to establish a diagnostic tool which could give an objective analysis of the anal sphincter muscles. Secondly, to examine whether or not FD was correlated to clinical symptoms of incontinence and manometric measurements from the anal canal. Our data show that the FD was increased in patients with anal incontinence and further that FD was correlated to clinical symptoms of incontinence as well as to manometric parameters of the function of the anal canal. In conclusion, we suggest that FD measurement should be used as a routine in patients with idiopathic anal incontinence. FD values will give an objective estimate of the state of denervation/reinnervation present in the EAS. This is particularly valuable in patients being considered for operative treatment since severe denervation of the EAS generally is correlated to a poor result of surgery.