AIM: To assess agreement between different forms of T2 weighted imaging(T2WI), and post-contrast T1WI in the depiction of fistula tracts, inflammation, and internal openings with that of a reference test. METHODS: Thi...AIM: To assess agreement between different forms of T2 weighted imaging(T2WI), and post-contrast T1WI in the depiction of fistula tracts, inflammation, and internal openings with that of a reference test. METHODS: Thirty-nine consecutive prospective cases were enrolled. The following sequences were used for T2WI: 2D turbo-spin-echo(2D T2 TSE); 3D T2 TSE; short tau inversion recovery(STIR); 2D T2 TSE with fat saturation performed in all patients. T1WI were either a 3D T1-weighted prepared gradient echo sequence with fat saturation or a 2D T1 fat saturation [Spectral presaturation with inversion(SPIR)]. Agreement for each sequence for determination of fistula extension, internal openings, and the presence of active inflammation was assessed separately and blindly against a reference test comprised of follow-up, surgery, endoscopic ultrasound, and assessment by an independent experienced radiologist with access to all images.RESULTS: Fifty-six fistula tracts were found: 2 intersphincteric, 13 trans-sphincteric, and 24 with additional tracts. The best T2 weighted sequence for depiction of fistula tracts was 2D T2 TSE(Cohen's kappa = 1.0), followed by 3D T2 TSE(0.88), T2 with fat saturation(0.54), and STIR(0.19). Internal openings were best seen on 2D T2 TSE(Cohen's kappa = 0.88), followed by 3D T2 TSE(0.70), T2 with fat saturation(0.54), and STIR(0.31). Detection of inflammation showed Cohen's kappa of 0.88 with 2D T2 TSE, 0.62 with 3D T2 TSE, 0.63 with STIR, and 0.54 with T2 with fat saturation. STIR, 3D T2 TSE, and T2 with fat saturation did not make any contributions compared to 2D T2 TSE. Post-contrast 3D T1 weighted prepared gradient echo sequence with fat saturation showed better agreement in the depiction of fistulae(Cohen's kappa = 0.94), finding internal openings(Cohen's kappa = 0.97), and evaluating inflammation(Cohen's kappa = 0.94) compared to post-contrast 2D T1 fat saturation or SPIR where the corresponding figures were 0.71, 0.66, and 0.87, respectively. Comparing the best T1 and T2 sequences showed that, for best results, both sequences were necessary. CONCLUSION: 3D T1 weighted sequences were best for the depiction of internal openings and active inflammatory components, while 2D T2 TSE provided the best assessment of fistula extension.展开更多
Background: Many women suffer from sexual problems after anal sphincter tears due to obstetric trauma. Aim: The study aimed to assess changes in sexual function after anal sphincter repair. Methods: The study was a no...Background: Many women suffer from sexual problems after anal sphincter tears due to obstetric trauma. Aim: The study aimed to assess changes in sexual function after anal sphincter repair. Methods: The study was a non-randomized prospective observational cohort study. Inclusion of the study was done at the University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden, between 2002 and 2007. Thirty-nine consecutive female patients admitted for anal sphincter repair were invited to the study. Twenty patients accepted and were included, four were lost to follow up and one was unevaluable (due to the formation of a stoma) leaving a study group of 15 patients. The patients were assessed with questionnaires before surgery and at three and 12 months after surgery. Outcomes: Change in reported sexual activity and dyspareunia. Results: Before surgery, 12/15 patients reported that their sexual life was impaired due to anal incontinence. The corresponding figure at 12 months was 9/15 (p = 0.43). Three patients remained sexually inactive throughout the study, five patients increased their sexual activity and one had decreased activity. Out of the 12 who were active, four stated dyspareunia at baseline, and only one reported dyspareunia at 12 months. The mean Miller incontinence scores at baseline and 12 months were 10.1 and 8.7, respectively. The change in incontinence score did not differ between those with decreased, stable or increased sexual activity. However, there was a definite correlation (r = 0.54 - 0.60, p 0.05) between change in sexual function and deferring time for stool. Clinical Implications: Operative management of anal sphincter tears alone is not curative for sexual problems due to anal incontinence but can be a part of the treatment. Strengths and Limitations: The study is a prospective study of sexual function. The limitations are that the questionnaires were not validated due to lack of such questionnaires at the time of the study and that the study population is quite small. Conclusion: Patients with a sphincter injury and fecal incontinence often have an impaired sexual function. Increased deferring time for stools after surgery increases the likelihood of improved sexual function.展开更多
文摘AIM: To assess agreement between different forms of T2 weighted imaging(T2WI), and post-contrast T1WI in the depiction of fistula tracts, inflammation, and internal openings with that of a reference test. METHODS: Thirty-nine consecutive prospective cases were enrolled. The following sequences were used for T2WI: 2D turbo-spin-echo(2D T2 TSE); 3D T2 TSE; short tau inversion recovery(STIR); 2D T2 TSE with fat saturation performed in all patients. T1WI were either a 3D T1-weighted prepared gradient echo sequence with fat saturation or a 2D T1 fat saturation [Spectral presaturation with inversion(SPIR)]. Agreement for each sequence for determination of fistula extension, internal openings, and the presence of active inflammation was assessed separately and blindly against a reference test comprised of follow-up, surgery, endoscopic ultrasound, and assessment by an independent experienced radiologist with access to all images.RESULTS: Fifty-six fistula tracts were found: 2 intersphincteric, 13 trans-sphincteric, and 24 with additional tracts. The best T2 weighted sequence for depiction of fistula tracts was 2D T2 TSE(Cohen's kappa = 1.0), followed by 3D T2 TSE(0.88), T2 with fat saturation(0.54), and STIR(0.19). Internal openings were best seen on 2D T2 TSE(Cohen's kappa = 0.88), followed by 3D T2 TSE(0.70), T2 with fat saturation(0.54), and STIR(0.31). Detection of inflammation showed Cohen's kappa of 0.88 with 2D T2 TSE, 0.62 with 3D T2 TSE, 0.63 with STIR, and 0.54 with T2 with fat saturation. STIR, 3D T2 TSE, and T2 with fat saturation did not make any contributions compared to 2D T2 TSE. Post-contrast 3D T1 weighted prepared gradient echo sequence with fat saturation showed better agreement in the depiction of fistulae(Cohen's kappa = 0.94), finding internal openings(Cohen's kappa = 0.97), and evaluating inflammation(Cohen's kappa = 0.94) compared to post-contrast 2D T1 fat saturation or SPIR where the corresponding figures were 0.71, 0.66, and 0.87, respectively. Comparing the best T1 and T2 sequences showed that, for best results, both sequences were necessary. CONCLUSION: 3D T1 weighted sequences were best for the depiction of internal openings and active inflammatory components, while 2D T2 TSE provided the best assessment of fistula extension.
文摘Background: Many women suffer from sexual problems after anal sphincter tears due to obstetric trauma. Aim: The study aimed to assess changes in sexual function after anal sphincter repair. Methods: The study was a non-randomized prospective observational cohort study. Inclusion of the study was done at the University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden, between 2002 and 2007. Thirty-nine consecutive female patients admitted for anal sphincter repair were invited to the study. Twenty patients accepted and were included, four were lost to follow up and one was unevaluable (due to the formation of a stoma) leaving a study group of 15 patients. The patients were assessed with questionnaires before surgery and at three and 12 months after surgery. Outcomes: Change in reported sexual activity and dyspareunia. Results: Before surgery, 12/15 patients reported that their sexual life was impaired due to anal incontinence. The corresponding figure at 12 months was 9/15 (p = 0.43). Three patients remained sexually inactive throughout the study, five patients increased their sexual activity and one had decreased activity. Out of the 12 who were active, four stated dyspareunia at baseline, and only one reported dyspareunia at 12 months. The mean Miller incontinence scores at baseline and 12 months were 10.1 and 8.7, respectively. The change in incontinence score did not differ between those with decreased, stable or increased sexual activity. However, there was a definite correlation (r = 0.54 - 0.60, p 0.05) between change in sexual function and deferring time for stool. Clinical Implications: Operative management of anal sphincter tears alone is not curative for sexual problems due to anal incontinence but can be a part of the treatment. Strengths and Limitations: The study is a prospective study of sexual function. The limitations are that the questionnaires were not validated due to lack of such questionnaires at the time of the study and that the study population is quite small. Conclusion: Patients with a sphincter injury and fecal incontinence often have an impaired sexual function. Increased deferring time for stools after surgery increases the likelihood of improved sexual function.
