Scintigraphic defecography

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Abstract
Conventional assessment of anorectal function with defecating videoproctography is semiquantitative and the high radiation exposure precludes prolonged or repeated testing. The aim of this study was to develop a dynamic scintigraphic method of assessing anorectal function. Fourteen patients with fecal incontinence, 18 patients with chronic constipation, and 8 control subjects were assessed by scintigraphic defecography. This involves introduction of a technetium-99mradiolabeled artificial stool into the rectum of the subject and acquisition of gamma camera images during evacuation. Mean evacuation rate was 2.8 percent/ second in incontinent patients and 0.9 percent/second in constipated patients (PCONCLUSION: We believe that scintigraphic defecography is the investigation of choice for objective and dynamic assessment of anorectal function.