Diseases of the colon and rectum
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Chronic radiation proctitis, a well described complication of pelvic radiation therapy, can result in severe bleeding that is refractory to conventional treatment. Argon plasma coagulation is an effective treatment for hemorrhagic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of argon plasma coagulation in the management of severe radiation proctitis resistant to medical treatment. ⋯ Argon plasma coagulation is a simple, inexpensive and effective treatment for severe refractory radiation proctitis with telangiectasias. Follow-up supervision is in progress to evaluate long term benefits and the risk of rectal stenosis.
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Electrical sacral root stimulation induces defecation in spinal cord injury patients and is currently under examination as a new therapy for fecal incontinence. In contrast to electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation is noninvasive. To gain more insight into the mechanism of action of sacral root stimulation, we studied the effects of magnetic sacral root stimulation on anorectal pressure and volume in both fecal incontinence and spinal cord injury patients. ⋯ Magnetic sacral root stimulation produces an increase in anal and rectal pressure and a decrease in rectal volume in healthy subjects and patients with fecal incontinence or a spinal cord injury.
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Chronic radiation proctitis complicating pelvic radiotherapy can be debilitating. It commonly presents with rectal bleeding, which can be difficult to control. Medical management of hemorrhagic radiation proctitis is not very successful, although surgery carries high risks. Thus, endoscopic treatments are preferred. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of argon plasma coagulation applied endoscopically to treat hemorrhagic radiation proctitis that has been refractory to topical formalin therapy. ⋯ Argon plasma coagulation is an effective and safe treatment for hemorrhagic radiation proctitis that has been refractory to topical formalin therapy.