Anal incontinence in women presenting for gynecologic care: prevalence, risk factors, and impact upon quality of life.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and impact upon quality of life of anal incontinence (AI) in women aged 18 to 65.

Study Design: Consecutive women presenting for general gynecologic care were given a bowel function questionnaire. Women with AI were prompted to complete the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI) and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQL).

Brainstem compression as a cause of neurogenic hypertension.

Primary or essential hypertension affects more than 50 million Americans, more than 6 million of whom cannot achieve adequate control of their condition with medication. The current neurophysiologic literature indicates that some forms of primary hypertension may be secondary to compression of the left rostral ventrolateral medulla near the root entry zones of cranial nerves 9 and 10 by arteries or veins. Surgical brainstem decompression may alleviate this hypertension or make it medically controllable.