Abstract
We performed a retrospective utilization studycovering a four-year period to determine how physiciansfamiliar with colon transit scintigraphy (CTS) use it tomanage patients with chronic constipation. Following CTS, there was a change is bothfrequency and likelihood of diagnosis. The diagnosis waschanged in 51% of patients — 37% of thoseconsidered to have slow transit constipation (STC)before CTS, 43% with obstructed defecation, and 64% withfunctional bowel disease (FBD). CTS increased thediagnostic likelihood in all groups. Of patients withthe diagnosis of STC, 16% were considered “almost certain” before CTS while 83% wereconsidered “almost certain” after CTS. ForFBD comparable percentages were 13% and 62%. CTS mayplay a major role in the diagnostic work-up of patientswith chronic constipation, both altering diagnosis andincreasing diagnostic certainty.
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Mclean, R.G., King, D.W., Talley, N.A. et al. The Utilization of Colon Transit Scintigraphy in the Diagnostic Algorithm for Patients with Chronic Constipation. Dig Dis Sci 44, 41–47 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026689714120
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026689714120