Anorectal function and morphology in patients with sporadic proctalgia fugax

PURPOSE: The pathophysiology of sporadic proctalgia fugax remains unknown. This study investigates whether patients with this syndrome exhibit alterations in anal function and morphology. METHODS: Eighteen patients with sporadic proctalgia fugax and 18 sex-matched and age-matched healthy controls were studied. Manometric studies investigated anal resting and squeeze pressures, the rectoanal inhibitory reflex, rectal compliance, and smooth muscle response to edrophonium chloride administration. External and internal sphincter thickness was measured endosonographically. RESULTS: Patients had slightly higher (P=0.0291) anal resting pressures (65.5±11.4 mmHg) than controls (56±9.9 mmHg). Howeve…