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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
08:15
Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor (GIMM)
Published on: December 1, 2010
Small intestinal motility in myotonic dystrophy patients
Gastroenterology
|May 1, 1984
Summary
Myotonic dystrophy patients frequently exhibit abnormal small intestinal motility. Jejunal manometry is more sensitive than imaging for detecting these gastrointestinal motility disorders.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neuromuscular Disorders
Background:
- Myotonic dystrophy is a multisystem disorder.
- Gastrointestinal motility symptoms are common in myotonic dystrophy patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate small intestinal motility in myotonic dystrophy patients.
- To compare the sensitivity of jejunal manometry and radiographic studies in detecting motility abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Jejunal manometry was performed on 10 myotonic dystrophy patients.
- Upper gastrointestinal series (barium study) was conducted on some patients.
Main Results:
- All 10 patients showed abnormal jejunal manometry results.
- Radiographic studies revealed normal small bowel in 8 of 9 patients.
- Abnormalities included low amplitude contractions, increased phase 2 contractions, retrograde phase 3 propagation, and interrupted phase 3 contractions.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal small intestinal motility is prevalent in myotonic dystrophy.
- Jejunal manometry is a more sensitive diagnostic tool than radiographic studies for detecting these abnormalities.
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