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Abstract
BACKGROUND Faecal impaction is frequently observed in children with chronic constipation. The term megarectum is often used to describe this finding.
AIM To evaluate rectal functioning and rectal measures in constipated children with a filled rectum, in order to define the terms faecal impaction, enlarged rectum, and megarectum.
METHODS All children underwent radiological investigation, colonic transit time study, anorectal manometry, and rectal volume and rectal wall compliance measurements. Patients with faecal impaction were compared with controls, who had an empty rectum on digital rectal examination.
RESULTS A total of 31 patients and six controls were included in the study. The mean duration of complaints was 4.2 years and all had faecal incontinence. The colonic transit times in the patients showed a distinct delay in the rectosigmoid segment. Anorectal manometry was not significantly different between patients and controls. The rectal width in patients was 0.68 and in controls 0.52 with an upper limit of 0.61. The pressure–volume curve in patients showed significant less relaxation at a distension of 50 ml. The slope of the curve (corresponding with rectal wall compliance) was comparable for patients and controls.
CONCLUSIONS We suggest that faecal impaction is a filled rectum found on digital rectal examination; an enlarged rectum is defined by a rectopelvic ratio greater than 0.61; and megarectum is defined in those with significant abnormalities found with anorectal manometry, pressure–volume curves, or rectal compliance investigation. A diminished relaxation of the rectum on rectal distension could be the first sign of megarectum in children with chronic constipation.
- megarectum
- constipation
- faecal incontinence
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In children with Hirschsprung's disease, meningomyelocele, or anal atresia, there is consensus about the meaning of the term megarectum.1 It means a large filled rectum as a result of underlying nerve supply abnormalities or muscle dysfunction, which remains after disimpaction of the rectum. In patients with constipation, the term megarectum is often used indiscriminately. For some it means a large rectal mass on rectal examination, while for others it means a wide rectum on an abdominalx ray, the presence of impaired rectal sensation, or the finding of large maximal rectal volumes on anorectal manometry.2-6 This has resulted in a wide range of reported prevalence for megarectum in constipated patients, varying from 29% to 100%.1 ,5 ,7-12 In adults, Prestonet al defined megarectum by a bowel width of 6.5 cm at the pelvic brim on a lateral x ray of the abdomen.13 In children, only one study has reported an objective measure of the size of the rectum: the recto–pelvic ratio (RPR). However, clear cut off points to define an abnormal size of the rectum were not given.5 ,14 ,15 Thus, there is no uniform definition of megarectum for patients with constipation. It is unknown whether a large rectum is the result or the cause of constipation, and which underlying mechanism is responsible for faecal impaction.5 ,16 Some investigators have suggested that the nerve plexuses and smooth muscle coats in children with faecal impaction are normal.5 ,17-19
The symptoms related to faecal impaction are a decreased defaecation frequency, passing massive stools, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and overflow incontinence.2 ,15 ,17 ,19-23Other studies in children with constipation showed relations between night time soiling and paediatric slow transit constipation, and between faecal overflow incontinence and the presence of rectal faecal impaction.15 ,24 The large variation of symptoms and the possible different mechanisms make it important to achieve consensus about the terms faecal impaction, enlarged rectum, and megarectum. We conducted a controlled study in constipated children with faecal impaction and children with abdominal pain but without faecal impaction as diagnosed by rectal digital examination, in order to evaluate rectal measurements and function, and to define terminology.
Methods
Children with chronic constipation were referred by paediatricians and general practitioners to the paediatric motility unit of the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Patients were selected on the basis of constipation when they met at least two of the following criteria: (1) defaecation frequency less than three times per week; (2) soiling and/or encopresis more than two times per week; (3) production of large amounts of stool once per 7–30 days; and (4) the presence of a palpable abdominal or rectal mass.25 All patients had a palpable abdominal or rectal mass (either a large massive faecal lump or a large amount of soft stool that filled the rectal ampul) on physical examination.8 Soiling was defined as the loss of a small amount of loose stool in the underwear. Encopresis was defined as the loss of a normal amount of stool in the underwear after the age of 4 years, without an underlying organic disorder.
The control group comprised six children with recurrent abdominal pain and without rectal faecal impaction. They were included on the basis of the definition of chronic abdominal pain as defined by Apley and Naish.26 All controls passed at least one normal stool every two days and they did not meet the criteria for paediatric constipation as defined above.5 All controls underwent rectometrography with barium and anorectal manometry. None of the patients or controls had Hirschsprung's disease.
Written informed consent was obtained from the parents of the children and cooperation was obtained from each child. The protocol was approved by the medical ethics committee of the hospital. Figure 1 shows the time schedule in which the investigations were performed.
Time schedule of investigations. I: first visit: medical history and physical examination, followed a period of at least four days without laxatives. II: colonic transit time measurement and measurement of the recto–pelvic ratio at day 4 after ingestion of the last capsule with radio-opaque markers (total duration one week). III: rectal disimpaction programme with enemas and oral laxatives during approximately one week. IV: abdominal x ray with barium and measurement of the balloon–pelvic ratio, rectometrography, and anorectal manometry. (Total investigation time: two weeks and four days.)
MEDICAL HISTORY
The child and parents were interviewed to provide the following information: duration of defaecation problems, defaecation frequency, soiling and/or encopresis frequency, consistency and size of stool, pain during defaecation, and associated symptoms such as abdominal pain, appetite, and enuresis.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Abdominal examination focused on the presence of distension and palpable faecal masses. Digital rectal examination provided information about anal tone and the presence of rectal faecal impaction.
Subsequent anorectal investigations were performed. The colonic transit time and the RPR were measured when the rectum was full—that is, before a disimpaction programme. The following investigations were performed with an empty rectum: balloon–pelvic ratio (BPR), sensory threshold, rectometrography, and anorectal manometry.
COLONIC TRANSIT TIME
Total and segmental colonic transit time (CTT) studies were assessed using previously described methods.7 ,27 The studies were done before the rectal disimpaction programme and patients discontinued laxatives for at least four days before the investigation was started. They ingested one capsule with 24 identical radio-opaque markers on three consecutive days. Abdominal radiographs were obtained at day 1 and day 4 after ingestion of the last capsule. If more than 20% of the markers were still visible on thex ray picture, an additional abdominal radiograph was performed after another three days. Localisation of markers depended on the identification of bony landmarks on the abdominal x ray picture.28Markers were counted in the right, left, and rectosigmoid regions. Segmental and total colonic transit times were calculated according to a previously described formula.27 ,28 Owing to the need to limit radiological investigations colonic transit time and rectal width measurement were not performed in the control group.
RECTAL WIDTH
The rectal width was measured at the time of the secondx ray examination, performed for CTT measurement, in order to obtain standard conditions in all patients. Prior to the second x ray examination, a total of 10 ml of diluted barium suspension (5 ml barium in 40 ml of water) was introduced in the rectum. This was done to avoid misinterpretation of rectal size because of overlap with the sigmoid, to appropriately delineate the size of the faecal mass, and to differentiate faecal mass from the rectal wall. The size of the faecal mass was expressed by the RPR. The RPR was obtained by dividing the diameter of the rectal width by the diameter of the linea transversa of the pelvis (fig 2). This method provides objective and reproducible values for the size of the rectum.5
Determination of the RPR. The maximal pelvis diameter (linea transversa) (T) and the rectum diameter (R) at this level are shown. The RPR is calculated by dividing R by T. (Adapted from Meunier et al.5)
DISIMPACTION PROGRAMME
All patients subsequently underwent an outpatient rectal disimpaction programme using enemas (120 ml sodium dioctylsulphosuccinate, 1 mg sorbitol, 250 mg per ml) and additional oral osmotic laxatives (lactitol betagalactoside sorbitol, one sachet of 5 g/10 kg body weight per day divided in two doses). Enemas were given by the parents, preferably for the first three days (if necessary for a maximum of seven days). The last enema was given at least four hours before measurements of sensory threshold, balloon width, and anorectal manometry. Adequate rectal disimpaction was checked by rectal digital examination in all patients.
SENSORY THRESHOLD AND BALLOON WIDTH
A small catheter (total length 7 cm) with two side holes covered by a small standardised balloon was connected to a simple calibrated pressure device. The catheter was connected to a 60 ml syringe, which was used to inflate the balloon. At the paediatric radiology department, the catheter and balloon, coated with barium contrast on the outside, were introduced into the rectum with the child in a left lateral position. The balloon was inflated initially with increments of 5 ml air until a volume of 60 ml; thereafter with increments of 30 ml until a maximum volume of 300 ml air. The sensory threshold was defined as the smallest reproducible balloon volume sensed by the child. This was the cut off point used to measure balloon width.15 Similar to the RPR, a BPR was calculated by dividing the diameter of the balloon by the diameter of the linea transversa of the pelvis.5
ANORECTAL MANOMETRY
Anorectal manometry was performed as described previously.25 Maximal anal resting tone was measured by stationary pull through at a rate of 1 cm per 30 seconds. Maximal squeeze pressure was performed by asking the child to squeeze voluntarily (five to 15 times). The rectal inhibitory reflex was performed by distension of the rectal balloon. The inhibitory reflex was considered to be positive if the anal resting tone decreased with 5 mm Hg after distension of the rectal balloon with amounts varying from 5 to 50 ml of air. A positive inhibitory reflex excluded Hirschsprung's disease. Sensory thresholdwas defined as mentioned above. Critical volume was obtained by filling the intrarectal balloon stepwise with increments of 30 ml air per 30 seconds to a maximum of 300 ml air. Critical volume was defined as the volume of air required to produce a sensation of persistent urge to defaecate or if abdominal pain was sensed for at least one minute. The defaecation dynamics were defined as normal if the pressure of the external anal sphincter and the integrated electromyogram showed a decrease or no change during an attempt to expel the intrarectal balloon in at least two of five defaecation attempts. Defaecation dynamics were defined as abnormal if a manometric and myoelectrical increase occurred in the sphincter complex during bearing down in at least four of the five defaecation attempts.25 ,29
RECTOMETROGRAPHY AND RECTAL COMPLIANCE
Studies showed that an inflated intrarectal balloon provided a rectal stimulus as well as an intrarectal balloon pressure.6 ,23 ,30 Balloon pressure was initially increased with increments of 5 ml of air until a volume of 60 ml; thereafter with increments of 30 ml. Following each increase in volume a latency time of 20 seconds was ensured to allow the rectal wall to adapt.30 Inflation of the balloon was continued until the child felt a persistent urge to defaecate, started to complain about abdominal pain, or to a maximum of 300 ml air. Preassessment of the balloon outside the rectum showed that the pressure–volume curve after one inflation up to 300 ml air was not reproducible, whereas the curves were reproducible between the second, third, and fourth time of inflation. Therefore, the balloon was inflated to a maximum of 300 ml of air twice outside the rectum. After measuring pressures outside the rectum, pressure–volume curves of the rectum were obtained with an intrarectal balloon. To obtain a pressure–volume curve of the rectal wall, the balloon pressures measured outside the rectum were subtracted from the intrarectal balloon pressures.6 ,23
Compliance of the rectal wall was calculated in patients and controls. Rectometrography was used to determine rectal wall compliance, which was calculated over the range between 50, 90, 120, 150, and 180 ml air, with increments of 30 ml. This range was chosen because a gradual increase in pressure was observed only after 50 ml of air inflation. A cut off point of 180 ml air was chosen because many patients and controls complained about abdominal pain above 180 ml air. In contrast to other studies in which rectal compliance was measured at maximal volume,6 we calculated the median rectal wall compliance by volume intervals. In this study, rectal wall compliance was calculated by means of a linear regression line—that is, dividing the change in rectal pressure by the change in rectal volume, expressed in Δmm Hg/Δml over a range of 50 to 180 ml air inflation (fig3).
Pressure–volume curve in patients and controls.
ANALYSIS
Symptoms, colonic transit times, anorectal manometry, and rectal compliance were expressed in median values and ranges. Differences between groups were calculated using Wilcoxon rank sum analysis for continuous variables and Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables (for example, normal defaecation dynamics). Probability values less than 0.05 indicated a significant difference. The relation between pressure in the rectum (P) and rectal distending volume (V) was examined using a standard linear regression analysis.
The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to evaluate rectal compliance in patients and controls. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate correlation between clinical parameters and rectal wall compliance.
Results
Over a period of 12 months, a total of 31 patients (22 boys, nine girls) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and in addition, six controls were included in the study. The age of the patients ranged from 4 to 15 years. Children in the control group were aged 6 to 13 years and comprised two boys and four girls.
Table 1 gives patient characteristics. The mean duration of complaints in the patient group was 4.2 years before they were included in the study. A total of 84% of patients had received laxative treatment for more than one year and psychological treatment had already been given to 34% of patients. All patients had infrequent bowel movements with regular episodes of soiling or encopresis. Night-time soiling occurred in 55% of the patients, 23% had diurnal enuresis, and 42% had nocturnal enuresis. The control group had a high incidence of painful defaecation (50%) and straining (30%). Colonic transit time measurements were obtained in 27 patients. Four patients did not strictly follow the instructions, resulting in unreliable colonic transit times; they were not included in the analysis. The median segmental transit time was 19 hours (range 2–106), 22.5 hours (3–94), and 84.5 hours (1–178) for the right colon, left colon, and rectosigmoid, respectively. The total colonic transit time was 152 hours (28–216).
Patient characteristics
Anorectal manometry was obtained in all patients and controls; table 2shows the results. The results of the anorectal manometry in patients and controls showed no significant differences. Interestingly, the median maximal resting pressure and critical volume in patients was lower compared to controls (53 v 59 mm Hg and 150 v 195 ml air, respectively). The prevalence of normal defaecation dynamics (relaxation of the external anal sphincter and increasing the abdominal pressure during an attempt to defaecate), was lower in patients but not significantly, possibly because of the fact that the number of controls was limited.
Anorectal manometry in patients and controls
The rectal width, defined by the RPR, was obtained in all patients. The mean RPR in patients was 0.68 (range 0.32–0.83). The mean intrarectal balloon width (BPR) was obtained in 25 patients and five controls and the results (0.64 (range 0.37–0.75) and 0.52 (range 0.31–0.61)) were not significantly different. Five patients were excluded from the analysis as two had no empty rectum and three did not cooperate with the investigation. The correlation coefficient between the RPR and BPR in the patient group was 0.15 (−0.26 < r < 0.52).
A pressure–volume curve was obtained in 26 patients and six controls. The profile of the curve, as depicted in fig 3, showed a rapid increase of rectal pressure during the first 50 ml of air inflation, followed by a sudden drop in pressure and a subsequent slow increase of pressure after inflation increments above 60 ml air. There was a statistically significant difference between patients and controls for the pressure at a balloon volume of 50 ml (p = 0.013). Further balloon volume increase resulted in a slow gradual increase in pressure. Interestingly, the pressure–volume curve of patients showed a tendency to higher pressures compared to that of controls (fig 3). However, this difference was not statistically significant.
The median rectal wall compliance calculated from the obtained pressure–volume curves of patients was 0.07 (Δmm Hg/Δml) compared to 0.06 (Δmm Hg/Δml) in controls. This difference was not significant (p = 0.98). Figure 4 shows that the slope of the regression line was comparable between patients and controls.
Regression lines of the patients (A) and controls (B). The grey lines represent the lines of individuals and the thick black line represents the average in the groups. The slope of the regression line is comparable for patients and controls.
Furthermore, no correlations were found between manometric parameters (critical volume, sensory threshold) and rectal compliance (data not shown). The RPR and the BPR, as measured with abdominal radiographs, did not correlate with rectal wall compliance (data not shown).
Discussion
The term megarectum is often used indiscriminately in patients with constipation or faecal impaction but often lacks quantitative measures. However, faecal impaction is not a diagnosis and it is therefore more appropriate to describe faecal impaction rather than suggesting an underlying mechanism.5 In children with constipation it is important to recognise and accurately describe clinical features in order to determine the severity of constipation and to initiate an appropriate treatment strategy. In a recent chapter about megarectum in children, the major symptoms are described but no clear definition or measure for megarectum was provided.31Therefore, we conducted a controlled study in chronically constipated children with rectal faecal impaction on digital rectal examination and a group of children with an empty rectum on digital examination. All children underwent radiological investigations and anorectal manometry. A pressure–volume curve was performed to obtain objective measures about rectal function.
Many patients had long histories of defaecation problems with faecal soiling and/or encopresis despite laxative or psychological treatment. The rectosigmoid and total colonic transit times of patients were prolonged compared to the only available control group, as described by Arhan et al.28 However, no significant anorectal abnormalities were found between the patient and control group on anorectal manometry. The pressure–volume curves between patients and controls were comparable, but tended to show higher rectal pressures in patients. The rectal compliance, defined by the slope of the regression line of the pressure–volume curve was comparable for patients and controls. Moreover, clinical symptoms, radiological, and/or manometric parameters were not associated with the rectal compliance. With this study, we have not been able to define megarectum in children by radiological and anorectal manometrical investigations.
Faecal incontinence in children with constipation—that is, soiling or encopresis, is an embarrassing complaint, and often the reason for parents to seek medical advice. Soiling is often explained by a diminished sensory threshold and subsequent accumulation of faeces followed by the loss of faecal material in their underwear.6 ,15 The high incidence of night-time soiling and enuresis in this study confirms earlier findings in children with severe constipation.24 The relatively high incidence of painful defaecation, straining, and abdominal pain in the control group may suggest that these children suffer from irritable bowel syndrome.32 We are aware that this may have influenced the results of the anorectal manometry and rectometrography,33but, because of ethical considerations no other control group was eligible for rectal investigation.
The colonic transit time measurement using radio-opaque markers is an objective method to obtain information about the function of the entire colon. In accordance with others, an important delay in the rectosigmoid colon was found in most constipated children.7 ,34 ,35 The median transit time of the proximal colon was within normal limits.28 The rectosigmoid and total colonic transit times were extremely delayed and exceeded the upper limit of normal controls as described by Arhanet al.28 This observation suggests that in constipated children with an enlarged rectum, the function of the proximal colon is relatively normal up to the rectosigmoid and a dysfunction in the rectosigmoid might be responsible for the delay in the total colonic transit time.6 ,7 ,36It is still unclear whether the rectosigmoid dysfunction is caused by motor or by sensory abnormalities of the rectum.37-39
With anorectal manometry no significant differences were found between the patient and control groups. This was also found in earlier studies in children with constipation.25 ,29 Other studies have described higher maximal tolerable volumes,5diminished rectal sensation,5 ,15 ,37 ,38 ,40 and higher rectal capacities2 ,5 ,23 in patients with faecal impaction compared to controls. They have suggested that these abnormalities were responsible for the enlargement of the rectum. However, in this study the sensory threshold was comparable between patients and controls. The lower (albeit not significantly) prevalence of normal defaecation dynamics in our patients compared with controls is in accordance with previous studies.25 ,29
There is still controversy about the use of an abdominalx ray examination in the work up of children with constipation. An abdominal x ray examination seems to have little value because of the large overlap with healthy controls.5-7 ,41 However, in adults, measurement of the rectal diameter in the lateral view on anx ray picture is found to be reliable. Many investigators use this method, with a cut off point of 6.5 cm, to define an abnormal enlargement of the rectum.13 ,19 The obtained RPR in our patients with faecal impaction of this study was 0.68. We were not able to compare this observation with the control group as all controls were selected on the basis of an empty rectum. We felt it unethical to perform repeated radiological investigations in order to obtain a RPR of an empty rectum and colonic transit times. Therefore, we can only compare this result to a previous study in children, showing a large difference between the RPR of patients and controls, namely 0.79 and 0.47, respectively.5 However, no cut off values were suggested. After disimpaction the intrarectal balloon width, measured at first rectal sensation, was 0.64 in patients and 0.52 in controls, with an upper limit value of 0.61 in the control group. The initial rectal sensation is much easier to study than the urge to defaecate and results vary little among different studies.15 Some have suggested that this upper limit value can be taken as a cut off point.13 If we take 0.61 as a cut off point, it shows that only a selection of patients has an abnormal balloon pelvic ratio. The results of the RPR and the BPR in the patient group showed no correlation (correlation coefficient 0.15). This may be explained by the fact that balloon width was obtained at sensory threshold, whereas the rectal width was obtained during rectal impaction. This explanation also implies that a large rectal capacity (faecal impaction) is not the result of a lack of rectal sensation; this is in contrast with other studies in adults and children.15 ,42 Although an abdominalx ray examination is not adequate to diagnose and treat constipation in children, it seems appropriate to perform this radiological investigation in children who have failed initial laxative treatment, primarily to calculate their RPR. On the basis of this study we suggest that an RPR above 0.61, being the upper limit of controls, defines an enlarged rectum and is an appropriate cut off point to select children for further anorectal investigations in order to evaluate a possible megarectum.13 ,15
One of the additional investigations in patients with an enlarged rectum is the determination of a pressure–volume curve of the rectum (rectometrogram). This investigation provides valuable information on rectal wall functioning.5 The profile of the pressure–volume curve in this study showed a rapid reduction of pressure at 50 ml of air inflation; this has not been described by others.37 The initial increase in rectal pressure most likely corresponds with the rectorectal reflex threshold—that is, contraction of the rectum in response to distension, as described by Meunier et al.5 The decrease in rectal pressure probably corresponds to the adaptation of the rectum at sensory threshold.23 ,30 Interestingly, the pressure decrease in patients was less, resulting in a significantly higher pressure at a volume of 50 ml air compared to controls. This difference may be explained by a diminished degree of relaxation and adaptation of the chronically enlarged rectum of the patients. In contrast to many other studies further distension resulted in a tendency to higher rectal pressures in the patient group compared to the control group.6 ,14 ,37 However, there was no significant difference between patients and controls; this was primarily because of large variations in rectal pressures in both groups.
We explain this lack of relaxation by the development of myohypertrophy as a potential adaptation mechanism in the constipated child, which is probably lost in adults with chronic faecal impaction.31 ,43 This hypothesis corresponds with previous studies, describing similar findings at surgery or at autopsy in constipated children.43 ,44 Moreover, the hypothesis conforms with Laplace's law: the tension in the wall at a given pressure is proportional to the radius of the cylinder.30 ,43 ,45 Thus, in patients with chronic rectal faecal impaction, the rectal wall develops myohypertrophy in an attempt to overcome chronic faecal loading and only after many years, and most likely not during childhood23; this compensatory mechanism finally fails and decompensation and distension of the rectal wall occurs, resulting in decreased rectal wall pressures measured in adults.13 ,42 ,46
Many investigators have measured rectal wall compliance at maximal intrarectal balloon volume,5 ,6 ,47 which provides information about the rectal wall at only one point and reveals nothing about the mechanism. Therefore, we have calculated the rectal wall compliance over several interval volumes. Our method to measure rectal compliance, is in our opinion more appropriate because it provides information about rectal wall function during distension.5Using this method, we showed that the rectal wall compliance was comparable for patients and controls. As fig 4 shows, the slopes of the regression lines between patients and controls were comparable, although the regression line of patients was higher compared to controls. This result is new and seems to contrast with previous studies.5 ,14 ,48 ,49
Interestingly, the duration of complaints was not associated with changes in rectal wall compliance.23 ,50 Furthermore, manometric and radiological parameters were not correlated with the rectal wall compliance.5 Therefore, it is questionable whether rectal wall compliance measurement is a reliable parameter to define megarectum in constipated patients. Recent studies in adults showed the colon and rectum had a decreased contractility which was often present in combination with an enlarged rectum.30 ,39 It is suggested that impairment of the colonic muscle tone in adult patients correlates with decompensation of the rectal pressures.39 Thus, anorectal investigation may be extended with barostat measurement to obtain additional information about rectal wall functioning.
One mechanism for the development of megarectum might be a disorder in rectal sensation, resulting in faecal loading and subsequent enlargement of the rectum with finally impairment of the rectal wall properties. This hypothesis is supported by a study by Loening-Baucke who showed a defect in the afferent pathway from the rectum in children with constipation and encopresis.37 ,38 However, our study did not support this suggestion as we found no significant differences for rectal sensation between patients and controls.
Secondly, a disorder in the viscoelasticity of the rectal wall causes poor rectal functioning and may consequently result in faecal retention.36 ,40 This hypothesis is supported by studies that have shown abnormalities with anorectal manometry and rectometrography.5 We can support part of this hypothesis as this study also showed less relaxation at 50 ml inflation in patients. However, further distension showed a comparable slope of the pressure–volume curves and rectal wall compliance between patients and controls. More information could be given by barostat measurement which may be included in future studies on rectal wall functioning.
Finally, an enlarged rectum may be the result of initial psychological problems.15 ,36 ,43 Faecal soiling is often considered to be a result of denial of rectal sensation, or laziness or disobedience by the child.36 ,45 This suggestion may result in coercive toilet training by parents and subsequently anxiety by the child and sometimes painful defaecation.43 The child may start to postpone defaecation, causing faecal impaction and enlargement of the rectum.44 ,45 ,51
In conclusion, the term faecal impaction should be used in children with a filled rectum on digital rectal examination. An abdominalx ray examination can be performed to identify an enlarged rectum, which we propose to define by a RPR of 0.61 or larger. When rectal width is above 0.61, which is the upper limit of normal controls in this study, additional evaluation of rectal wall functioning (anorectal manometry and pressure–volume curves) is advised in order to exclude rectal wall abnormalities and the presence of a megarectum.
We propose to use only the term megarectum in children when functioning of rectal wall or nerve supply shows abnormalities on appropriate investigations. The question remains as to whether very long duration of faecal impaction finally results in megarectum. Most importantly, given the often still normal functioning of the rectal wall, it is essential to treat children vigorously (oral laxatives, preferably in combination with enemas) when they have chronic constipation, faecal impaction, or an enlarged rectum.