Indirect Non-invasive Evaluation of Pudendal Neuropathy

This study is reported according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement for cohort studies. Between January 2008 and December 2016, female patients affected by fecal incontinence (FI) or urinary incontinence referred to our referral center of coloproctology (master of pelvi-perineal rehabilitation and master of coloproctology) at University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" of Naples were prospectively assessed. Inclusion criteria were age ≥16 and symptoms of faecal incontinence or constipation. Exclusion criteria were past history of anorectal or vaginal surgery, history of pelvic radiation or tumors and inability to complete the study protocol. Patients with pelviperineal dysfunction were enrolled in the study (Group A). Clinical symptoms were graded as follows: constipation was evaluated according to the Wexner Scale (0-30), continence was evaluated according to Cleveland Clinic incontinence score (0-20)13-14. The following information were collected: age, symptoms, grading, previous pelvic surgery. In order to compare and analyse the data, a cohort of 34 healthy volunteers was enrolled among students and residents of University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Group B). The local ethical committee approved the study protocol.

Patients All patients were assessed during a specialized coloproctology evaluation in our teaching Hospital. A clinical examination was performed in all patients and information on bowel function, pregnancies, episiotomy, previous surgery and associated diseases were recorded. A preoperative informed consent was acquired in every case and the physicians explained to the patients the details and the aims of the procedures.

Each patient underwent a DTU by an expert coloproctologist (LB) with great experience of perineal ultrasonography, person in charge of a master of coloproctology and of master of pelvi-perineal rehabilitation at University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" of Naples. Subsequently, all patients underwent PNTML evaluation using the St. Marks glove mounted pudendal nerve stimulator (St. Mark's 13 L40® Dantec Elektronic, Skovlunde, Denmark), performed by a blinded neurophysiologist (FT).

Dynamic Transperineal Ultrasound Voluntary contraction of the perineum and of the PR muscle leads to a shortening of the PR muscle itself. The anal canal moves in the direction of the pubic bone and diminishes the anorectal angle. In contrast, relaxation of the PR muscle, which occurs while attempting defecation, lengthens the PRS and opens the anorectal angle. Contraction and relaxation of the PR muscle can be measured with DTU. DTU, in fact, is a morphological and functional procedure assessing puborectal function. It is cheap, feasible, well tolerated and reproducible. The patient is placed in the dorsal lithotomy position, with hips flexed and abducted, and a 3-6 MHz conventional convex transducer and field of view at least 70° positioned on the perineum between the mons pubis and the anal margin. In the mid-sagittal plane, all anatomical structures (bladder, urethra, vaginal walls, anal canal and rectum) between the posterior surface of the symphysis pubis and the posterior part of the levator ani are visualized3. [Figure 1] The probe is progressively inclined until the anal sphincter is visible. Changing application pressure and probe inclination, allows to scan the entire anal canal in transversal section. After the sphincter identification, a further longitudinal image obtained with a 90° rotation of the scanning plane allows to observe the PR sling behind the rectum.

The first caliper is placed on the anterior border of the PR in resting position; the second one is placed on the anterior border of PR in straining or squeezing position in order to respectively obtain the measure AD or the PD.

In healthy patients, the AD should be more than 7mm during squeezing and the PD more than 6mm, during straining.

Pudendal nerve terminal motor latency Pudendal nerve terminal motor latency is an affordable technique to evaluate anal sphincter innervation; it reflects the conduction velocity of the fastest motor nerve fiber supplying the anal sphincter.

In order to execute the examination a glove-mounted electrode (St. Mark's 13 L40® Dantec Elektronic, Skovlunde, Denmark) is used to measure pudendal nerve conduction time.

It is inserted into the anal canal with patients laying in Sims position. Both right and left pudendal nerves are stimulated using a pulse of 50 V, for 0.1 ms at a rate of 1 pulse per second over the ischial spines until a reproducible latency is obtained.

We selected the shortest reproducible latency recorded for each patient according to the neurophysiologist opinion. Prolonged PNTML was defined as greater than or equal to 2.2 ms.