Clinical and nutritional implications of radiation enteritis

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Am. J. Clin. Nutr.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5554739

Beer, W H; Fan, A; Halsted, C H

The clinical and nutritional significance of radiation enteritis was assessed in eight patients with chronic diarrhea which followed curative doses of radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies. Steatorrhea, found in seven malnourished patients, was ascribed to ileal disease or previous surgery, or to bacterial contamination of the small intestine. Lactose intolerance, assessed by breath hydrogen excretion after oral lactose and by jejunal lactase levels, was found in six patients. In a subgroup of five patients, the administration of two different defined formula liquid diets by nasoduodenal infusion decreased fecal fluid and energy losses by about one-half. Compared to Vivonex-HN, the infusion of Criticare-HN was associated with greater likelihood of intestinal gas production but a three-fold greater utilization of protein. Intestinal malabsorption and malnutrition in radiation enteritis has diverse etiologies. Whereas nutritional support by liquid diet limits fecal fluid and energy losses, these diets differ significantly in clinical tolerance and biologic value.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Davis
• OSTI ID: 5554739
• Journal Information: Am. J. Clin. Nutr.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Clin. Nutr.; (United States) Vol. 41:1; ISSN AJCNA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
DIARRHEA
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISEASES
DISEASES
ENTERITIS
ETIOLOGY
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
INTESTINES
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NUTRIENTS
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY
ORGANS
PATIENTS
PELVIS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
SYMPTOMS
THERAPY