HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kumaran, K. A. Articles by Katz, J. B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kumaran, K. A. Articles by Katz, J. B.

Measurement of Fecal C-14 Excretion

The MT. Sinai Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio

Correspondence: For reprints contact: K. A. Kumaran, GI Lab, The Mt. Sinai Medical Center, University Circle, Cleveland, OH 44106.

ABSTRACT

Simultaneous measurements of fecal C-14 and expired ¹⁴CO₂ in the breath are necessary to evaluate patients with various ileal abnormalities and bile salt malabsorption. Following the oral ingestion of the labeled bile acid, glycine-[I-¹⁴C]cholic acid, detection of increased fecal C-14 without abnormal expiration of ¹⁴CO₂ identifies patients with ileal resection. This contrast with the normal fecal C-14 content and abnormal expired ¹⁴CO₂ found in patients with bacterial overgrowth. Fecal C-14 content was determined by utilizing Van Slyke combustion of the specimen and trapping the liberated ¹⁴CO₂ with Scintisorb C. The method is simple, rapid, and accurate, and expands the diagnostic usefulness of the bile salt absorption test.