This book brings together lessons learned in the clinical use of anorectal endosonography and manometry in paediatrics. In contrast to adult medicine, where they are virtually indispensable for specialists dealing with colo-proctology, in paediatrics endoanal ultrasound and anorectal manometry are still the prerogative of very few international centres. This book collects the results of a Workshop organised at the Paediatric Surgery Unit of Bologna, entitled "International Seminar on Endosonography and Anorectal Manometry in Paediatrics", and presents contributions from leading European experts.

Focusing on the paediatric age group, this volume fills a gap in the paediatric gastroenterology literature, and will benefit all specialists wishing to use these methods in the management and treatment of common clinical problems, e.g. chronic constipation.

Mario Lima graduated from Medical School and specialized in Paediatric Surgery at the University of Bologna, Italy. He also completed specializations in Microsurgery and Experimental Surgery at the University of Milan, Italy. He has been a Professor of Paediatric Surgery at the University of Bologna since 2001 and Chief of the Paediatric Surgical Unit at SantOrsola-Malpighi Hospital since 2003.  He is also the Director of two University Master programs: in Paediatric Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, and more recently, in Paediatric Urology. He is the author of over 500 scientific publications, a member of several national scientific societies, and current President of the Italian Paediatric Surgery Society (SICP). He is internationally noted for the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques for abdominal, thoracic and genitor-urinary pathologies in newborns and infants. 

1         History of Endocavitary Ultrasound.- Basics of Endoanal Ultrasounds.- 3 Principles of Ano-Rectal Manometry.- 4 Surgical and Functional Anatomy of The Pelvic Floor and the Ano-Rectum.- 5 Physiology of the Pelvic Floor and the Ano-Rectum.- 6 Normal Endosonographric Features of the Anal Canal.- 7 Ano-Rectal Manometry, Conventional and High Resolution.- 8 Ano-Rectal Malformations: Ano-Rectal Manometric and Endosonographic Combined Approach.- 9 Suppurative Processes of the Ano-Rectal Region: Endoanal Ultrasonographic Assistence.- 10 Chronic Constipation in Paediatrics: Pathophysiology and Diagnosis.- 11 Treatment of Chronic Constipation in Paediatrics.- 12 Echo-Assisted Botulinum Injection.- 13 Ano-Rectal Manometry and Endoanal Ultrasonography in Paediatric Incontinence.- 14 Echo-Assisted Ano-Lipofilling.- 15 Endoanal Ultrasonography in Male and Female Genitalia Malformations.- 16 Endoanal Ultrasonography: Use on Adults.