F Pomerri1, G Dodi, M Nardin, P C Muzzio. 1. Department of Medical Diagnostic Sciences and Special Therapies, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani 2, Padua, Italy. fabio.pomerri@unipd.it
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study was done to determine colonic transit times in healthy Italian adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval and informed patient consent were obtained. Colonic segmental radiopaque markers were counted and transit times calculated in 36 healthy subjects studied using a technique involving daily radiopaque marker ingestion and single radiological visit, with oral administration of 8-10 ml of a thick barium paste as a colonic trace for the marker count. Two independent radiologists counted the marker twice. Observer agreement was assessed using comparison analysis. RESULTS: There was very good observer agreement for the segmental marker counts. The upper limit for colonic transit times was: 45.6 h in the colon as a whole, 31.2 h in the right colon, 19.2 h in the left colon and 16.8 h in the rectosigmoid. Colonic transit times were not gender-related. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy subjects, a barium trace affords optimal visibility of the different colonic segments, enabling accurate location of all markers and thus providing an anatomy-related, repeatable and reproducible fluoroscopic segmental marker count. We suggest that the reference values for normal colonic transit times could be adopted for Italian people irrespective of gender.
PURPOSE: This study was done to determine colonic transit times in healthy Italian adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval and informed patient consent were obtained. Colonic segmental radiopaque markers were counted and transit times calculated in 36 healthy subjects studied using a technique involving daily radiopaque marker ingestion and single radiological visit, with oral administration of 8-10 ml of a thick barium paste as a colonic trace for the marker count. Two independent radiologists counted the marker twice. Observer agreement was assessed using comparison analysis. RESULTS: There was very good observer agreement for the segmental marker counts. The upper limit for colonic transit times was: 45.6 h in the colon as a whole, 31.2 h in the right colon, 19.2 h in the left colon and 16.8 h in the rectosigmoid. Colonic transit times were not gender-related. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy subjects, a barium trace affords optimal visibility of the different colonic segments, enabling accurate location of all markers and thus providing an anatomy-related, repeatable and reproducible fluoroscopic segmental marker count. We suggest that the reference values for normal colonic transit times could be adopted for Italian people irrespective of gender.
Authors: Sonja Buhmann; Chlodwig Kirchhoff; Roland Ladurner; Thomas Mussack; Maximilian F Reiser; Andreas Lienemann Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2006-10-12 Impact factor: 5.315