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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
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Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor (GIMM)
Published on: December 1, 2010
Gastrointestinal neuromuscular pathology in chronic constipation
Charles H Knowles1, Gianrico Farrugia
1Neurogastroenterology Group, Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and the London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, UK. c.h.knowles@qmul.ac.uk
Best Practice & Research. Clinical Gastroenterology
|March 9, 2011
Summary
Research on gastrointestinal neuromuscular pathology in chronic constipation shows reduced interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are common. However, their role and the findings for neuropathy and myopathy require further investigation due to methodological issues.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neuromuscular Pathology
- Digestive Diseases
Background:
- Chronic constipation can necessitate colectomy, providing tissue for diagnosing neuromuscular pathology.
- Past research has focused on neuropathy, myopathy, and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in gastrointestinal neuromuscular disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review existing data on gastrointestinal neuromuscular pathology in chronic constipation.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility and methodological challenges in studying neuropathy, myopathy, and ICC.
Main Methods:
- Critical review of studies analyzing colonic tissue for neuromuscular pathology over 40 years.
- Assessment of methodological biases and interpretative issues in the field.
Main Results:
- Reductions in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are a consistent finding.
- Evidence for significant neuropathy or myopathy is variable and often subject to methodological bias.
- Few methods with practical diagnostic utility for individual patients have been validated.
Conclusions:
- While reduced ICC are common in chronic constipation, their primary causal role needs further evaluation.
- Neuropathy and myopathy findings are inconsistent and methodologically flawed.
- Validated diagnostic methods with normative data are needed for clinical application.
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