Role of magnetic resonance defecography in the assessment of obstructed defecation syndrome

Figure 9 Anterior rectocele and anorectal junction descent. A: Sagittal true fast imaging with steady-state free precession (TRUFI) image at rest shows anorectal junction located above pubococcygeal line (PCL); B: During the squeeze phase there is reduction in anorectal angle with anorectal junction located above PCL; C: During the strain phase, anorectal junction reaches PCL; D: During the defecation phase there is caudal descent of the anorectal junction (yellow line) below the PCL. There is the formation of an anterior rectocele (green line), which is seen as a bulge of the anterior rectal wall beyond the expected anterior wall of rectum (blue line).