Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
14:55
Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI
Published on: April 18, 2011
Clinical and Physiological Characterization of Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction In Motor-Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
Margarita Vallès1,2,3, Sergiu Albu1,2,3, Fernando Martins1,2,3
1Guttmann Hospital de Neurorehabilitació, Badalona, Catalonia, Spain.
Diseases of the Colon and Rectum
|July 21, 2026
Summary
Neurogenic bowel dysfunction in spinal cord injury patients is common and complex. Physiological testing reveals varied anorectal and colonic issues, guiding personalized management for better quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) significantly impacts quality of life in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients.
- Pathophysiology of NBD in motor-incomplete SCI is not well understood despite available physiological tests.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize clinical presentation, high-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM), and colonic transit time (CTT) in motor-incomplete SCI.
- To compare findings between patients with neurological level ≥ T6 versus < T6.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cross-sectional study at a specialized neurorehabilitation center.
- Inclusion of 58 patients with motor-incomplete SCI, assessing bowel characteristics, CTT, and HRAM (London Classification).
Main Results:
- 81% of patients experienced fecal incontinence, constipation, or both.
- 50% had prolonged CTT; HRAM revealed anal hypocontractility (63.8%), rectoanal coordination disorders (56.9%), and rectal hyposensitivity (60.3%).
- No clear correlation found between symptoms, physiological findings, and neurological characteristics.
Conclusions:
- NBD in motor-incomplete SCI exhibits significant pathophysiological heterogeneity, often involving combined anorectal dysfunction and delayed CTT.
- Systematic physiological testing is crucial for mechanism-oriented management due to limitations in predicting underlying mechanisms from symptoms or neurological level alone.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
01:20Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
Gastrointestinal or GI motility disorders are characterized by irregular gastrointestinal tract movements, disrupting food transit from the mouth to the anus. They are caused by damage or dysfunction in gut muscles or nerves. These disorders can cause symptoms such as severe constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and swallowing difficulties. Disorders can affect any segment of the GI tract and range widely in severity, from common conditions like GERD to life-threatening conditions like...
01:14Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:29Intestinal Obstruction I: Introduction
Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the small or large intestine that disrupts the normal flow of intestinal contents through the lumen. This interruption impairs digestion, absorption, and fluid balance, and may lead to serious complications if not treated promptly.Mechanical ObstructionMechanical obstruction occurs when a physical blockage prevents intestinal contents from passing, arising from within the lumen or the bowel wall, or from external compression.Adhesions,...