How reproducible are measures of the anal sphincter muscle diameter by endoanal ultrasound?
Anal endosonography is an imaging technique for the anal sphincter system and offers analysis of its muscular integrity. It is generally assumed that measurement of the thickness of muscle layers is provided by sonography; however, reproducibility of such measurements have not yet been investigated. METHODS: Study 1: In 10 healthy volunteers, endoanal ultrasound was performed independently by two experienced investigators with two different ultrasound machines, and thickness of the muscle layers of the internal and external anal sphincter was assessed in the position of the intermediate dorsal anal canal in a randomized cross-over fashion. Study 2: In a study of similar design, sonography was performed in nine healthy volunteers by two investigators independently using a single ultrasound machine in three standardized positions (proximal/intermediate/distal anal canal) and the sphincter layers assessed in the left, right, and dorsal segment. RESULTS: Study 1: Both the same investigator
Related Questions
- I haven’t had any children but I have some vaginal relaxation and I would like to enhance vaginal muscle tone and strength as well as decrease the vaginal diameter. Can I have the procedure?
- Is the ultrasound test that measures bone density in the heel bone an acceptable screening tool for osteoporosis?
- Where is the Sphincter Muscle Located?
