[Ultrasonic diagnosis of functional and organic changes of colon in patients suffering from chronic constipation]

The aim of the study was to define the informative significance of USI in the diagnosis of functional and organic changes in patients suffering from chronic constipation (CC). 96 patients with CC were evaluated and treated. There were 67 women and 29 men (79) aged 33-55 years. 11 patients were in compensated stage of CC, 32 patients were in subcompensated stage, 53 patients-in decompensated stage of CC. Before investigation under USI control a colon was filled with 2 l of physiologic solution heated up to 37º. Sonographically in normotonic type of CC a colonic wall tonus was reserved, no changes in colonic transition were observed, while there is a delay in rectum. In subcompensated stage of atonic type of CC there was observed a noticeable enlargement of colonic diameter in transverse colon, descending colon and also in sigmoid colon. It is likely, that the wall of all portions of colon was thickened. The reduction of height of transverse folds and the increase of distance between them was traced in colon. In spastic type of CC a colonic wall tonus has been increased in all portions, there are spastic segments in colon, the distance of fecal particles' displacement from spastic region is enlarged. It is obviously that for atonic type of CC sonographically it is typical the attenuation of colonic wall tonus in all portions of colon, the reduction of distance of colonic content displacement and also the reduction of height of natural transverse folds and haustra fundus flattening.