The external anal sphincter (EAS) may be injured in 25-35% of women during the first and subsequent vaginal childbirths and is likely the most common cause of anal incontinence. Since its first description almost 300 years ago, the EAS was believed to be a circular or a "donut-shaped" structure. Using three-dimensional transperineal ultrasound imaging, MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and muscle ...

Endoscopic manometry was used to measure pancreatic duct, common bile duct, pancreatic duct sphincter and bile duct sphincter pressures in 43 healthy volunteers and 162 patients with a variety of papillary, pancreatic and biliary disorders. Common bile duct pressure was significantly raised after cholecystectomy, with common bile duct stones and papillary stenosis but pancreatic duct pressure o...

Liver malignancy is known to be associated with hepatolithiasis. The present report summarises the results and our experience for management of 23 patients with intrahepatic hepatolithiasis associated cholangiocarcinoma (IHHCC). The correct diagnosis rates of US (ultrasonography), CT (computed tomography), and MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) were 82.6% (19/23), 95.7% (22/23),...

BACKGROUND & AIMS Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) is the standard method of treatment for choledocholithiasis. We evaluated the diagnostic success rate and the outcomes of therapeutic ERCP for bile duct stones, in relation to the anatomical variants. METHOD A total of 3,097 consecutive ERCPs were performed in 2,986 patients during a 10-year period (2002-2011) in our end...