The clinical values of X ray defecography in children with functional constipation

Objective To explore the values of X ray defecography in functional constipation in childhood. Methods All the subjects involved in this study were divided into 2 groups: one group was control with 28 healthy volunteers (9 males and 19 females) aged 2-13 years (mean 5 years) , the other was constipation group with 96 patients (35 males and 61 females) aged 3-14 years (mean 6. 5 years) referred to constipation according to the Rome Ⅱ standard. X ray defecography was carried out on all the subjects, Resalts X ray defecography demonstrated that the puborectal muscle syndrome in 21 children(21/96, 21.88%), the spastic external sphincter in 9(9/96,9.38%), the spastic pelvic floor syndrome in 4(4/ 96,4.17%), the rectal prolapse or intussusception in 8(8/96,8.33%), the perineal floor hernia in 10 (10/96,10.42%), and the rectoeele and the perineal descent syndrome in 3 (3/96,3.13%), respectively. Each syndrome has its special radiological presentations on the X ray defecography film, which could be easily distinguished from each other. Conclusions The X ray defecography can clearly demonstrate organic and functional changes happened in the anorectal area in the functional constipation in childhood. Most of the syndromes have special radiological presentations examined by defecography. The X ray defecography can be a routine examination for functional constipation in children. Key words: Constipation;  Defecography