Anorectal manometry (ARM) is a diagnostic test used to evaluate abnormalities

of the anal sphincter muscles and the rectum. If you have a patient who presents an abnormal rectoanal inhibitory reflex (

RAIR) that impacts their ability to defecate normally, it may be worth considering anorectal manometry to assess their need for further treatment. Here's what to know about this diagnostic tool.

 Anorectal function tests are usually performed in patients with fecal incontinence who have failed typical, conservative treatment. This study, which we are going to discuss right now, was aimed to determine the additive value of performing anorectal function tests in such patients in selecting them for surgery.

Introduction

Fecal incontinence is the inability to voluntarily control bowel movements causing stool to leak from the rectum, unexpectedly. It is a very disabling condition with a prevalence of roughly 6% in the adult population. Causes of FI are:

• Disruption of the anal sphincters secondary to obstetric or surgical trauma;
• Neuropathy such as multiple sclerosis diabetes mellitus;
• Neurologic deterioration related to nervus pudendus injury due to chronic straining during chronic constipation or delivery
• Decreased rectal capacity due to inflammatory bowel disease, radiation proctitis and/or irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, the physical inability to reach toilet facilities, and highly reduced mental awareness.

Anorectal manometry is a widely-available, economical and precise test for establishing the functional competency of the rectum and the anal canal. It plays an essential role in the diagnosis of functional defecatory disorders such as constipation, fecal incontinence and Hirschsprung disease in children.

This test involves the assessment of two major functions of the anorectal system. The resistive system – continence; and the capacitive system – defecation. Continence and defecation are the two most important roles played by the anorectal system. Quantitative assessment of the anal sphincter tone by anorectal manometry helps find the etiology of anorectal disorders. In the following article, we are going to discuss briefly how to interpret conventional anorectal manometry.

Anorectal manometry is a diagnostic technique that is intended to test how well the rectum and anal sphincter are functioning. In the blog post below, when this test is commonly prescribed, as well as an explanation of the procedure, will be described.

What is Anorectal Manometry?

Anorectal manometry is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure that is simple to perform, but it requires complex equipment and well trained nursing staff. This test is used to measure the patient’s contractility in his or her anus and rectum. A catheter with a balloon attached is inserted directly into the patient’s rectum. The balloon is inflated, and pressure readings from the sphincter and rectum are recorded. One purpose of anorectal manometry is to test the ability of the muscles and tissues surrounding the balloon is to relax in response to pressure. For instance, if rectal muscles and sphincter do not relax when the balloon is inflated, paralysis of the colon could be to blame.

When it comes to bowel disorders, there is significant overlap among various medical fields. Anorectal manometry (ARM) is a diagnostic tool used in the determination of bowel disorders such as chronic constipation and fecal incontinence. Gastroenterologists commonly administer ARM tests, but should OBGYN physicians offer anorectal manometry as well?

Anorectal manometry (ARM) is a common diagnostic tool for fecal incontinence and constipation. However, it can also be used within care pathways for a number of disorders, which will be described here.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a prevalent disorder, affecting approximately 25 million – 45 million people in the United States alone. To begin treatment, a proper diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome is important. Here, anorectal manometry as a diagnostic tool¹ for irritable bowel syndrome will be discussed.

Disorders of the bowels require specific investigative techniques that are preferably non-invasive for accurate disease diagnosis. Here, the use of anorectal manometry for the diagnosis of Hirschsprung’s disease¹ will be discussed.

Urodynamics are a series of tests that measure the functionality of the lower urinary tract. Urodynamics testing¹ may be ordered for a number of symptoms, including pain, incontinence, and changes in a patient’s normal urinary or fecal routine. 

Acquisition Highlights:

• Significantly increases BHN’s size and profitability
• Further expands BHN’s geographic footprint into the New England states and Florida
• Expands BHN’s diagnostic services offering
• Increases the depth of BHN’s clinical teams
• Immediately accretive to earnings

See PRNewsWire Press Release here.  

Flowood, MS – Brighter Health Network, LLC (BHN), which offers medical diagnostic solutions such as urodynamic testing services, today announced it has acquired Urodynamic Testing Specialists (UTS) for an undisclosed amount.  The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings and will significantly increase BHN’s top and bottom lines.