Effect of colonic distension on small bowel motility measured by jejunal high-resolution manometry

Colonic distension; High-resolution manometry; Small bowel motilityDistensió colònica; Manometria d'alta resolució; Motilitat de l'intestí primDistensión colónica; Manometría de alta resolución; Motilidad del intestino delgadoBackground Abnormal motility patterns in the jejunum can be detected in patients with prominent colonic content, and these abnormalities may be due to either a primary jejunal dysfunction or a reflex distortion. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of colonic distension on small bowel postprandial motility using high-resolution manometry. Methods Single center, controlled, parallel, randomized, single blind study in healthy subjects testing the effect of colonic filling vs sham infusion on the responses to a meal in 16 healthy subjects. Nutrients were continuously infused in the proximal jejunum (2 Kcal/min) during the 2-h study period to induce a steady-state postprandial motor pattern. Jejunal motility was measured by water-perfused, high-resolution manometry. After 1 h postprandial recording (basal period), gas was infused during 7.5 min via a rectal tube (720 mL or sham infusion), and jejunal motility was recorded for another hour. Key Results Jejunal postprandial motility during the basal period was characterized by two overlapping components: a) continuous segmental activity (non-propagated or shortly propagated) and b) intercurrent propagated fronts (3.8 ± 1.1 fronts of 2-5 clustered contractions/h >10 cm propagation). As compared to sham infusion, colonic gas filling: a) inhibited continuous segmental contractile activity (by 17 ± 4%; p = 0.044 vs control group) and b) stimulated intermittent propagated fronts (up to 9.0 ± 2.2 fronts/h; p = 0.017 vs control group). Conclusions and Inferences Long retrograde reflexes induced by colonic distension distort the balance between segmental and propagated activity, and may affect the normal response of the jejunum to food ingestion. Jejunal manometry in patients may be artifacted by colonic overload

Propagation patterns of jejunal motor activity measured by high-resolution water-perfused manometry

Altres ajuts: Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICBackground: The manometric diagnosis of severe intestinal dysmotility is performed at most institutions using catheters with 2-8 sensors 5-10 cm apart. The recent application of high-resolution manometry catheters with closely spaced sensors to other gut segments has been highly successful. The objective of the present study was to determine the feasibility of a jejunal high-resolution manometry method and to carry out a descriptive analysis of normal jejunal motor function. Methods: A 36-channel high-resolution water-perfused manometry catheter (MMS-Laborie, Enschede, The Netherlands) was orally placed in the jejunum of 18 healthy subjects (10 men, eight women; 21-38 age range). Intestinal motility was recorded during 5 h, 3 during fasting, and 2 after a 450 kcal solid-liquid meal. Analysis of motility patterns was supported by computerized tools. Key Results: All healthy subjects except one showed at least one complete migrating motor complex during the 3 h fasting period. Phase III activity lasted 5 ± 1 min and migrated aborally at a velocity of 7 ± 3 cm/min. High-resolution spatial analysis showed that during phase III each individual contraction propagated rapidly (75 ± 37 cm/min) over a 32 ± 10 cm segment of the jejunum. During phase II, most contractile activity corresponded to propagated contractile events which increased in frequency from early to late phase II (0.5 ± 0.9 vs 2.5 ± 1.3 events/10 min, respectively; p < 0.001). After meal ingestion, non-propagated activity increased, whereas propagated events were less frequent than during late phase II. Conclusions & Inferences: Jejunal motility analysis with high-resolution manometry identifies propagated contractile patterns which are not apparent with conventional manometric catheters

Evaluation of abdominal gas by plain abdominal radiographs

Abdominal CT imaging; Abdominal distension; Intestinal gasTAC abdominal; Distensión abdominal; Gas intestinalTAC abdominal; Distensió abdominal; Gas intestinalBackground Our aim was to determine the reliability of plain abdominal radiographs for the evaluation of abdominal gas content in patients with functional digestive symptoms. Methods Abdominal CT scan scout views, mimicking a conventional plain abdominal radiograph, were obtained from 30 patients both during episodes of abdominal distension and basal conditions. Physicians (n = 50) were instructed to rate the estimated volume of gas in the 60 images presented in random sequence using a scale graded from 0 to ≥600 ml. Key Results The gas volumes estimated in the scout views differed from those measured by CT by a median of 90 (95% CI 70–102) ml, and the misestimation was not related to the absolute volume in the image. The accuracy of the observers, measured by their mean misestimation, was not related to their specialty or the training status (misestimation by 96 (95% CI 85–104) ml in staff vs 78 (70–106) ml in residents; p = 0.297). The accuracy was independent of the order of presentation of the images. Gas volume measured by CT in the images obtained during episodes of abdominal distension differed by a median of 39 (95% CI 29–66) ml from those during basal conditions, and this difference was misestimated by a median of 107 (95% CI 94–119) ml. The accuracy of these estimations was not related to the absolute gas volumes (R = −0.352; p < 0.001) or the magnitude of the differences. Conclusions & Inferences Plain abdominal radiographs have limited value for the evaluation of abdominal gas volume in patients with functional gut disorders.This work was supported in part by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica, grant SAF 2016-76,648-R to F Azpiroz); Ciberehd is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Dan M. Livovsky received support from the Israeli Medical Association and from Israeli Gastroenterological Association 2020 fellowship grants

Clinical significance of small bowel manometry patterns suggestive of intestinal obstruction

Constipation; Intestinal manometry; Intestinal neuropathyRestrenyiment; Manometria intestinal; Neuropatia intestinalEstreñimiento; Manometría intestinal; Neuropatía intestinalIntroduction Minute rhythm and prolonged simultaneous contractions are patterns of postprandial small bowel contractile activity that historically have been considered as suggestive of mechanical intestinal obstruction; however, these patterns have been also encountered in patients with motility-like symptoms in the absence of bowel obstruction. The objective of this study was to determine the current diagnostic outcome of patients with these intestinal manometry patterns. Methods Retrospective study of patients with chronic digestive symptoms evaluated by intestinal manometry at our center between 2010 and 2018. Results The minute rhythm (MRP) or prolonged simultaneous contractions (PSC) postprandial patterns were detected in 61 of 488 patients (55 MRP and 6 PSC). Clinical work-up detected a previously non-diagnosed partial mechanical obstruction of the distal intestine in 10 (16%) and a systemic disorder causing intestinal neuropathy in 32 (53%). In the remaining 19 patients (31%, all with MRP), the origin of the contractile pattern was undetermined, but in 16, substantial fecal retention was detected within 7 days of the manometric procedure by abdominal imaging, and in 6 of them colonic cleansing completely normalized intestinal motility on a second manometry performed within 39 ± 30 days. Conclusion and Inference Currently, the most frequent origin of MRP and PSC encountered on small bowel manometry is intestinal neuropathy, while a previously undetected mechanical obstruction is rare. Still, in a substantial proportion of patients, no underlying disease can be identified, and in them, colonic fecal retention might play a role, because in a subgroup of these patients, manometry normalized after colonic cleansing. Hence, colonic preparation may be considered prior to intestinal manometry.This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and co-financed by the European Union (FEDER/FSE) [PI17/01794]; Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica) [SAF 2016-76648-R]; Ciberehd is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. LA was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CM20/00182)