The radiobuclide colon segmental transit assessment by 67Ga-citrate

Overview

Measurement of colonic segmental transit is important in the assessement of patients with severe functional constipation. Scintigraphic examination contribute to confirm and determinate the kind of function disorder large bowel motion. 67Ga-citrate is an inexpensive, available tracer and when given orally is not absorbed from the bowel. Studies are performed after oral administration of 5MBq 67Ga-citrate and a serial abdominal anterior and posterior scintigraphic images are performed up to 72 hours postinjection period. Pattern classification is performed visually according to the distribution activity from geometric means images, and assessment of 67Ga-citrate colonic segmental passage is generated of segmental retention of traces in region of interest throughout the colon (ceacum and ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, rectum). Geometric mean centre of segmental retention of tracer, mean activity profiles and colonic halt-clearance can be calculate. Normal transit is with more than 50% of activity excreted by the end of the third day. Pathologic findings fall into categories: generalized delay, right –sided delay and left sided delay. 67Ga-citrate colonic passage scintigraphy can be used as a safe alternative method for accurate measurement of segmental colonic transit.

Key words:
colonic segmental transit time – 67Ga-citrate – constipation

The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.

The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE „uniform requirements“ for biomedical papers.

Submitted:
25. 6. 2012

Accepted:
12. 8. 2012.