Gastrointestinal transit in patients with idiopathic megarectum.

Abstract

PURPOSE: In patients with idiopathic megarectum, it is unknown whether abnormality is limited to the dilated large bowel or whether the upper gut is abnormal, as in the various forms of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. This has important implications for treatment, especially surgery. METHODS: Ten patients (4 females; median age, 18 (range, 17-26) years) with idiopathic megarectum had contrast studies of the upper and lower gut, radioisotope (technetium-99m liquid and indium-111 solid phase) measurement of gastric, small-bowel, and colonic regional transit, and radiopaque marker colonic studies. RESULTS: All patients had a dilated large bowel. No patient had radiographic evidence of up..