Perineal body measurement improves evaluation of anterior sphincter lesions during endoanal ultrasonography

Abstract

Digital delineation of the perineal body during endoanal ultrasonography improved the visualization of sphincter lesions in the majority of patients. Perineal body measurement is performed without difficulty and is a good predictor of anterior sphincter lesions. Use of this technique improves visualization of sphincter lesions.

Rectocele—does the size matter?

“…We did not find a correlation between the occurrences of perineal body diameter of <10 mm to fecal incontinence in our study cohort. This result is discordant with previous reports [25,26] and may be related to insufficient statistical power due to the relative small group of incontinent women.…”

Anatomy and physiology of the female perineal body with relevance to obstetrical injury and repair

“…In this condition, the acute anorectal angle, so important in fecal continence, is disrupted; it may be caused by a loss of perineal body volume, detachment of the rectovaginal septum, or a widening of the urogenital hiatus after childbirth. Zetterstroem et al (1998) used endoanal ultrasound measurements of the perineal body to assess anterior anal sphincter defects. A perineal body thickness of less than 10 mm was found in 93% of patients with sphincteric defects.…”

Translabial ultrasound assessment of the anal sphincter complex: normal measurements of the internal and external anal sphincters at the proximal, mid-, and distal levels

“…It has been used to describe anal sphincter complex integrity [12,13]. The equipment needed to perform TLU is readily available to all gynecology and radiology imaging laboratories.…”