Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
07:41
Video Imaging and Spatiotemporal Maps to Analyze Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice
Published on: February 3, 2016
Determining small intestinal transit time and pathomorphology in critically ill patients using video capsule
Stefan Rauch1, Kristine Krueger, Alparslan Turan
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA. s0rauc01@louisville.edu
Intensive Care Medicine
|February 3, 2009
Summary
Critically ill neurosurgical patients had similar small bowel transit times to healthy individuals, though with greater variability. This finding is crucial for understanding gastrointestinal function in critical care settings.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Serious illness and medications can impair gastrointestinal motility.
- Compromised motility affects enteral feeding in critical care patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- Compare small bowel transit time and morphology in neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients versus healthy subjects.
- Assess the impact of critical illness on gastrointestinal function.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated small intestinal transit time, visualization quality, and morphology using PillCam SB capsules.
- Included 16 neurosurgical ICU patients (Glasgow Coma Scale 6-14) and 16 healthy ambulatory patients.
Main Results:
- Median small bowel transit time was 5.1 hours in ICU patients and 4.3 hours in ambulatory patients (P=0.481).
- Pathological findings (ulcers, petechiae, erosions) were observed in 37% of ICU patients and 12% of ambulatory patients (P=0.10).
- Transit times showed greater variability in critically ill patients.
Conclusions:
- Small bowel transit times are comparable between critically ill neurosurgical patients and healthy ambulatory subjects.
- Transit times exhibit increased variability in critically ill patients, suggesting potential dysmotility.
- Findings provide insights into gastrointestinal function in critical care.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Endoscopic Procedures III: Video Capsule Endoscopy
Capsule endoscopy, or wireless or video capsule endoscopy, is a diagnostic procedure for examining the entire gastrointestinal tract. Patients swallow a capsule about the size of a vitamin tablet. The capsule is equipped with a transmitter, a battery, an LED light source, and a color video camera to capture images throughout the gastrointestinal tract. This procedure is particularly useful for diagnosing conditions such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, tumors, polyps, ulcers, unexplained...
01:26Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy
This lesson explores three gastrointestinal imaging techniques: radionuclide testing, colonic transit studies, and virtual colonoscopy.
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and solid...
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and solid...
01:09Methods for Studying Drug Absorption: In situ
In situ experiments, such as the Doluisio method and Single-Pass Perfusion technique, provide critical insights into drug uptake by simulating in vivo conditions for drug absorption.
The Doluisio method involves perfusing a prepared segment of a rat's small intestine with a solution of radiolabeled drug and a non-absorbable marker. This helps to differentiate between absorbed and non-absorbed drug concentrations. The intestinal segment is connected at both ends using tubing and syringes,...
The Doluisio method involves perfusing a prepared segment of a rat's small intestine with a solution of radiolabeled drug and a non-absorbable marker. This helps to differentiate between absorbed and non-absorbed drug concentrations. The intestinal segment is connected at both ends using tubing and syringes,...
01:25Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique that provides crucial insights into the body's physiological functions at a molecular level. It is an indispensable resource for diagnosing, staging, and monitoring various illnesses, notably cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular conditions.
Fundamental Principles of PET
Fundamental Principles of PET
01:16Gastric Emptying
Gastric emptying occurs when the stomach gradually releases chyme into the duodenum. When the stomach is distended, it triggers the release of gastrin, a hormone that promotes gastric acid secretion to aid in digestion. Additionally, stomach distension contributes to peristaltic waves that propel gastric contents toward the pyloric region. The gastroenteric reflex, on the other hand, primarily stimulates peristalsis in the intestines, facilitating the movement of contents further along the...
01:23Lower GI Series: Barium Enema
A Barium Enema, or a lower GI series, is a specialized radiographic examination designed to visualize the lower gastrointestinal tract, specifically the colon and rectum. This procedure is instrumental in diagnosing various conditions such as colorectal cancer, polyps, diverticulosis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Procedure Details
The examination begins by inserting a lubricated rectal tube into the patient's rectum to administer a radiopaque barium solution. The barium flow is carefully...
Procedure Details
The examination begins by inserting a lubricated rectal tube into the patient's rectum to administer a radiopaque barium solution. The barium flow is carefully...