Scintigraphic measurement of regional gut transit in idiopathic constipation

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Gastroenterology; (United States)

OSTI ID:5508814

Stivland, T; Camilleri, M; Vassallo, M; Proano, M; Rath, D; Brown, M; Thomforde, G; Pemberton, J; Phillips, S ^[1]

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1. Gastroenterology Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota (USA)

In this study, total gut transit and regional colonic transit in patients with idiopathic constipation were measured scintigraphically. Eight patients with severe constipation were studied, none of whom had evidence of abnormal function of the pelvic floor. 99mTc-radiolabeled Amberlite resin particles with a mixed meal were used to assess gastric emptying and small bowel transit; similar particles labeled with 111In were ingested in a coated capsule that dispersed in the ileocecal region. These were used to quantify colonic transit. Five healthy volunteers were also studied. Two patients showed delayed gastric emptying and two had slow small bowel transit. Seven of the eight patients had slow colonic transit. In five, delay affected the whole colon (pancolonic inertia); in two, transit in the ascending and transverse colon was normal, but solids moved through the left colon slowly. Mean colonic transit was also measured using radiopaque markers; this technique identified the patients with slow transit, as shown by measurements of overall colonic transit by simultaneous scintigraphy. However, estimated transit through the ascending and transverse colons was considerably shorter by the radiopaque marker technique. In conclusion, idiopathic constipation is characterized by either exaggerated reservoir functions of the ascending and transverse colons and/or impairment of propulsive function in the descending colon. Particle size may influence the result of regional colonic transit tests. Transit delays in other parts of the gut suggest that, in some patients, the condition may be a more generalized motor dysfunction.

• OSTI ID: 5508814
• Journal Information: Gastroenterology; (United States), Vol. 101:1; ISSN 0016-5085
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISEASES
DIAGNOSIS
LARGE INTESTINE
SCINTISCANNING
CONSTIPATION
DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES
INDIUM 111
ISOMERIC NUCLEI
PATIENTS
TECHNETIUM 99
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
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INDIUM ISOTOPES
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
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ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
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