Motility and functional diseases of the large intestine

Abstract

Since the discovery in 1987 that it relaxes vascular smooth muscle, nitric oxide has emerged as an important inhibitory nonadrenergic noncholinergic neurotransmitter throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Immunohistochemical demonstration of its presence and its role in peristalsis, colonic relaxation, and sphincter function are discussed. Intestinal pseudoobstruction poses difficult diagnostic and management problems. However, new primary pathologies causing chronic disease are being identified and pharmacologic treatment of acute disease may be helpful. The repeatability and value of visceral evoked potentials in anorectal disease is discussed. Long-term data about the clinical spectrum of..