Pelvic Floor Service, Department of General Surgery, Wythenshawe Hospital, University Hospital South Manchester NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
Colorectal Dis. 2010 Jul;12(7):692-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2010.02194.x. Epub 2010 Jan 12.
Anal acoustic reflectometry (AAR) is a new technique that offers an assessment of anal sphincter function by the measurement of additional parameters not available with conventional manometry. The aim of this study is to describe the technique, methodology and initial pilot study results.
Wideband sounds (100 Hz to 16 kHz) are transmitted into a thin polyurethane bag placed within the anal canal. Calculation of cross-sectional area from reflected sound waves, over a range of pressures (0-200 cm H(2)O) during inflation/deflation of the bag, results in five physiological parameters of anal canal function. Five patients [three continent (two female) and two incontinent (both female)] were assessed with AAR and anal manometry.
Anal acoustic reflectometry parameters were reduced in incontinent when compared with continent patients. Resting Opening Pressures (cmH(2)O) were 27 and 16 in patients with faecal incontinence (FI) vs 44 and 72 in continent patients; Resting Opening Elastance (cmH(2)O/mm(2)) was 0.88 and 1.08 in FI patients vs 1.65 and 1.34 in continent patients. The Resting Opening Pressure of a similarly aged continent male (55 cmH(2)O) was greater than three of the females. During assessment of voluntary contraction (one FI female vs one continent female), Squeeze Opening Pressure (cmH(2)O) was 31 vs 100 and Elastance (cmH(2)O/mm(2)) 0.61 vs 2.07.
Anal acoustic reflectometry appears to be promising technique. Further work is in place to clarify whether it will be useful in clinical assessment of incontinent patients.
分析声反射测量法（AAR）是一种新技术，通过测量常规测压法无法获得的额外参数，从而对肛门括约肌功能进行评估。本研究旨在描述该技术、方法学及初步试点研究结果。
将宽带声音（100Hz 至 16kHz）传输到置于肛门内的薄型聚氨酯袋中。在充气/放气过程中，计算反射声波在一系列压力（0-200cmH₂O）下的横截面积，得出 5 项肛门功能的生理参数。对 5 例患者（3 例有控便能力，2 例无控便能力）进行 AAR 和肛门测压。
与有控便能力的患者相比，失禁患者的 AAR 参数降低。静息开口压力（cmH₂O）在失禁患者中分别为 27 和 16，而在有控便能力的患者中分别为 44 和 72；静息开口弹性（cmH₂O/mm²）在失禁患者中分别为 0.88 和 1.08，在有控便能力的患者中分别为 1.65 和 1.34。一名同龄有控便能力的男性（55cmH₂O）的静息开口压力大于 3 名女性。在自愿收缩评估中（一名失禁女性和一名有控便能力的女性），收缩开口压力（cmH₂O）分别为 31 和 100，弹性（cmH₂O/mm²）分别为 0.61 和 2.07。
AAR 似乎是一种很有前途的技术。进一步的工作将阐明其在评估失禁患者方面是否有用。
