Efficacy and Safety of Endoanal Ultrasound–Guided Botulinum Toxin in Chronic Anal Fissure

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoanal ultrasound (EAUS)–guided botulinum toxin (BT) in the treatment of chronic anal fissure (CAF). All patients were classified into 2 groups: conventional and EAUS groups. In total, 90 units of BT were injected into the internal anal sphincter at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions in the EAUS group. An injection was performed into the intersphincteric space at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions in the conventional group. Adverse effects and efficacy were analyzed. There were 44 patients: 26 in the conventional group and 18 in the EAUS group. Pain and incontinence rates were similar between groups ( P > .05). The efficacy rate was higher in the EAUS group (69.23%) than in the conventional group (81.82%), but this difference was not significant ( P = .466). EAUS–guided BT injection is safe and effective in patients with CAFs.

O5 Dose mean opening pressure predominantly assess internal anal sphincter function

Introduction We have suggested that mean Opening Pressure (Op) recorded during Anal Acoustic Reflectometry (AAR) predominantly represents IAS function however, the extent remains unknown. The aim was to investigate this by excluding the external anal sphincter during general anaesthetic (GA) with confirmed neuromuscular blockade (NMB). Method Patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery requiring GA+NMB were approached. Patients had pre-operative (awake) and during GA + NMB (asleep) AAR measurements performed. The rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) was assessed permitting the Op value to also be recorded when the IAS was inhibited. Op was recorded at prerectal distension and then after 100 mls of air was inflated within a balloon in the rectum (post-rectal distension). Result 19 patients were included. The values of Op (cmH20) and the reductions observed during the RAIR when awake/asleep are as follows: Awake Op: prerectal distension (64.94) and post-rectal distension (35.35) therefore mean change 29.59 cmH2O i.e. 44.6% reduction Asleep Op: prerectal distension (37.64) and post-rectal distension (15.55) therefore mean change 22.1 i.e. 55.3% reduction The contribution of the IAS to Op is calculated as follows: (Mean change Op awake x 100)/% reduction in RAIR asleep = IAS contribution awake (29.59cmH20 x 100)/55.3 = 53.51cmH20 Total mean Op awake—IAS contribution awake = EAS contribution awake 64.94cmH20–53.51cmH20 (82.4%) = 11.43cmH20 (17.6%) Conclusion The IAS accounts for 82.4% of Op at rest and it remains our hypothesis that Op primarily represents IAS function. Take-home Message Opening pressure primarily represents internal anal sphincter function.

BDNF rescues aging-associated internal anal sphincter dysfunction

Aging can lead to rectoanal incontinence due to internal anal sphincter (IAS) dysfunction, which is characterized by a decrease in IAS tone and contractility and an increase in non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxation. We aimed to determine whether brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) rescues this aging-associated IAS dysfunction (AAID). To do so, we studied the effects of BDNF on the basal and GPCR-stimulated IAS smooth muscle tone and on NANC relaxation in in Fischer 344 rats representing different age groups (26-month-old [aging] vs. 6-month-old [young]), before and after tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) antagonist K252a. We also used isolated smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to determine the effects of BDNF before and after different agonists. For some studies, we monitored NO release using smooth muscle perfusates. BDNF reversed AAID by rescuing the basal IAS tone and agonists (U46619 and Ang II)-induced contractility, and NANC relaxation. These rescue effects of BDNF were selective since K252a attenuated the changes in the IAS without modifying the effects of K+-depolarization. Because of the direct association between the basal and GPCR-stimulated IAS tone and RhoA/ROCK activation, we speculate that this pathway in the rescue effects of BDNF. Conversely, our data suggest that aging-associated increased NANC relaxation is reversed by decreased release of NO and decrease in the sensitivity of the released inhibitory neurotransmitter. In summary, BDNF rescue of AAID involves RhoA/ROCK and inhibitory neurotransmission. These data have direct implications for the role of BDNF in the pathophysiology and therapeutic targeting of aging-associated rectoanal motility disorders.

Utility of Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Chronic Anal Fissure

Introduction: Anal fissure is a linear tear in the anal mucosa seen distal to the dentate line. The diagnosis of chronic anal fissure depends on clinical history, physical exam, anoscopy and other imaging modalities are uncommonly recommended unless an associated condition was suspected. Management is either by chemical sphincterotomy or surgery through lateral internal sphincterotomy when chronic anal fissure was resistant to treatment. Purpose of the Study: The current study aimed to evaluate the sonographic findings that can be observed in cases with chronic anal fissure and their significance. Methodology: 15 asymptomatic patients and 30 patients with chronic anal fissure were examined with 3 dimensional transperineal ultrasound and if females an additional transvaginal ultrasound was performed. Results: 26 patients (86.5%) showed diffusely thickened internal anal sphincter of mean thickness >3.5mm, ranging from 3.7 mm to 6.4mm and the mean value was 5mm. 3 patients (10%) with posterior fissure showed a lucent narrow defect in the internal anal sphincter at the midline of the distal aspect of the anal canal wall. One of them showed associated localized intersphincteric plane sepsis. Conclusion: Use of ultrasound in cases with chronic anal fissure may show gapping of the internal anal sphincter and an associated intersphincteric plane sepsis corresponding to the high morphological grade of anal fissure which predict poor healing response to chemical sphincterotomy and further studies that correlate between the thickness and texture of IAS and the healing response to chemical sphincterotomy recommended.