Radionuclear transit to assess sites of delay in large bowel transit in children with chronic idiopathic constipation

Abstract

Purpose: Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) with soiling in children may result from slow colonic transit (SCT) or anorectal dysfunction and/or psychological problems known as functional fecal retention (FFR). Evidence is accumulating that SCT and FFR need different treatments, but they are poorly distinguished by solid marker studies. The authors used radionuclear transit scintigraphy to categorize children with CIC as having either FFR or SCT. Methods: Children (N = 101) with CIC (and soiling) who were referred for further investigation after failure of standard treatments (diet, laxatives) received radiolabeled colloid orally, and scintillation images were collected at 0 to 2, 6, 24, 3..