Abstract:
Background: Colon motility disorders require reliable
methods for calculating segmental colonic transit time.
This study evaluated bowel transit time by means of a
safe, easy, cheap, nondigestive, and nondisintegrating
radionuclide-filled capsule that provided accurate and
clear images.
Methods: Radionuclide-filled minicontainers (MCs) were
prepared from infusion sets by an apparatus used for
sealing blood bags or plasmapheresis sets. In vitro stability
studies were performed by immersing 5% methylene
blue dye-filled MCs in buffers of variable pH and
enzymes simulating the conditions in the stomach and
the small bowel. Colon transit scintigraphy was performed
with MCs filled with iodine 131 (n = 5) and
thallium 201 (n = 8) that were placed in a commercially
available capsule.
Results: By in vitro acid, base, and intestinal enzyme
resistance tests, no methylene blue leakage was determined
visually and by spectrophotometric analysis.
Accurate and clear images were obtained for colon
transit study in constipated patients. After excretion of
MCs in the feces, abdominal, myocardial, thyroid, and
urinary bladder region counts were found to show the
same activity as the background. Radionuclide leakage
from MCs was not determined in vivo by gamma camera.
Conclusion: This is a suitable, safe, easy, and cheap
method to provide accurate and clear images for colon
transit study in constipated patients.
