Endoanal ultrasonography in establishing the diagnosis of fecal incontinence

Visualization of the rectum, rectoanal junction and adjacent structures is very demanding and challenging both with technical and medical side. Local staging of rectal and anal tumor and perianal neoplasm by conventional and sibgle slice CT or by barium enema study is not so valuable. These methods can not visualize fistulous communication in inflamatory bowel diseases and have not any role in evaluation of fecal incontinence. During last decade, endoscopic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging have been recognized as methods of choice in establishing diagnosis of rectal, perirectal, anal and perianal diseases. The aim of this article is to review the possibilities of endoanal ultrasound in evaluation of fecal incontinence.