Balloon Expulsion Test and Perineometry as a Screening Test in the Diagnosis of Spastic Pelvic Floor Syndrome

Paik, Seung Woon; Rhee, Jong Chul; Kim, Jae Jun; Koh, Kwang Cheol; Rhee, Poong Lyul; Sohn, Chong Il; Lee, Wha Young; Jun, Sung Kook

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We investigate the usefulness of balloon expulsion test and perineometry in the diagnosis of defecation disorder, especially spastic pelvic floor syndrome.
METHODS
Patients with defecation disorder were tested to identify the cause with balloon expulsion test in left lateral decubitus position and sitting position, perineornetry, colon transit time test, defecography, anorectal manometry and sigmoidoscopy. Ten asymptomatic persons were also examined as normal control.
RESULTS
Among 91 patients with defecation disorder the spastic pelvic floor syndrome was the most common cause. The weight that was needed to expel the balloon in the left lateral decubitus position in spastic pelvic floor syndrome patients was significantly higher than in the normal controls and other disease groups (p<0.05). The time that was needed to expel the balloon in the sitting position in spastic pelvic floor syndrorne patients was also significantly longer than in the normal controls and other disease groups (p<0.05). Perineal movement in patients with spastic was significantly shorter than in the normal controls and other disease groups (p<0.05). The weight and time needed to expel the balloon in pelvic floor syndrome were inversely related to the ejection fraction on defecogram (r=-0.303, p=0.027 and r=-0.305, p=0.026 respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Balloon expulsion test and perineometry are good diagnostic tests for spastic pelvic floor syndrome.