Endoanal ultrasound scan

Your appointment is at the Gastrointestinal Laboratory (GI) located in the GI/Lung Function Department at Cheltenham General Hospital. Please report to Lung Function Department reception on arrival at the hospital.

What is an endoanal ultrasound scan?

This scan will look at your anal sphincter (back passage muscle) to check that it is complete.

Why am I having this scan?

This scan is to assess the muscles in your back passage. Images will be taken of the muscles to assess their size and shape.

If you have been referred to the department for other tests the appropriate information leaflets would have been sent with your appointment letter.

Consent

The physiologist will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions that you may have. When they are sure that you understand the procedure, you will be asked to sign a consent form.

Risks

There are no known associated risks with this scan.

Will the scan be uncomfortable?

No. You should feel very little, if any, discomfort during this test. You may feel embarrassed but the person carrying out the procedure will understand this and will help you to overcome your embarrassment.

Before the scan

It would be helpful and more comfortable for you if you could pass urine and have your bowels opened on the day of your scan.

During the scan

On arrival in the department the physiologist will ask you questions about your bowel habit. You will then be asked to remove the clothing from the lower part of your body and lay on an examination couch on your left side.

A fine tube (probe) will be inserted into your anus (back passage). The tube will be attached to a lead which is connected to an ultrasound machine. The physiologist will view the area and take images which will be sent with a report to your consultant.

The scan will take about 10 minutes but you will be in the department for at least 30 minutes.

After the scan

You will be free to go after this procedure and this should not stop you from carrying on with your normal routine.

Results

The results of the scan will be sent to your consultant who will make a decision about the need for further treatment. Your consultant will either contact you by telephone or send a letter by post regarding the results of the scan.

Contact

If you have any questions you would like to ask before your scan, you can contact the GI/Lung Function Department.

We are not always able to answer the telephone during the day. Please leave a message on our answerphone and we will contact you as soon as we can.

GI/Lung Function Department

Cheltenham General Hospital

Tel: 0300 422 2977

Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm