To explore the pathogenesis of anterior resection syndrome by magnetic resonance imaging rectal defecography.

Background: Over 90% of rectal cancer patients develop low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) after sphincter-preserving resection. The current globally recognized evaluation method has many drawbacks and its subjectivity is too strong, which hinders the research and treatment of LARS.
Aim: To evaluate the anorectal function after colorectal cancer surgery by quantifying the index of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) defecography, and pathogenesis of LARS.
Methods: We evaluated 34 patients using the standard LARS score, and a new LARS evaluation index was established using the dynamic images of MRI defecography to verify the LARS score.
Results: In the LARS score model, there were 10 (29.41%) mild and 24 (70.58%) severe cases of LARS. The comparison of defecation rate between the two groups was 29.36 ± 14.17% versus 46.83 ± 18.62% ( P = 0.004); and MRI-rectal compliance (MRI-RC) score was 3.63 ± 1.96 versus 7.0 ± 3.21 ( P = 0.001). Severe and mild LARS had significant differences using the two evaluation methods. There was a significant negative correlation between LARS and MRI-RC score ( P < 0.001), and they had a negative correlation with defecation rate ( P = 0.028).
Conclusion: MRI defecography and standard LARS score can both be used as an evaluation index to study the pathogenesis of LARS.
Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: There are no conflicts of interest to report.
(©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)