The factors that influence colonic transit time in healthy humans are not yet clearly defined. The aim of this study was therefore to determine (a) if there are differences in colonic transit time between men and women and (b) if age, female hormonal status or smoking habits are associated with alterations in these parameters. Colonic transit time was measured in 164 asymptomatic subjects (80 males, 84 females) by a radio-opaque marker technique with one single plain abdominal X-ray. Colonic transit time was significantly shorter in men than in women (30 +/- 2 vs. 42 +/- 3 h, P < 0.05). Colonic transit time in non-smoking males was significantly shorter compared with smoking males (26 +/- 2 vs. 40 +/- 5 h, P < 0.05). In females only height and menstrual cycle influenced colonic transit times. We conclude that gender and smoking habits should be considered when studying colonic transit time in health and disease.

The effect of adding fiber to liquid formula diets on gastrointestinal transit is still controversial. Different fiber types (soluble vs insoluble) and different methodology of transit time measurements yielded variable results. Factors affecting transit include colonic fermentation, neural, and hormonal factors. We have therefore compared the effects of a standardized normal diet and two liquid formula diets with and without supplementation of a soluble fiber (21 g/L) on orocecal transit time measured by the hydrogen lactulose breath test, colonic transit time measured by radiopaque markers with an abdominal x-ray, bowel movements, stool consistency, and cholecystokinin release in 12 healthy male volunteers. The diets were consumed in a randomized order, each one for 7 days. The addition of soluble fiber did not affect orocecal transit time. Colonic transit time, however, was significantly prolonged (55 h) with fiber supplementation compared with the liquid diet (39 h) and the self-selected diet (30 h) (p < .01). Stool frequency and consistency was not significantly affected. During administration of both liquid diets, fasting cholecystokinin concentrations were significantly elevated compared with the concentrations found with a self-selected diet (p < .05). The fasting cholecystokinin concentration correlated significantly with the increase of segmental (right colon) colonic transit time (p = .02). The prolongation of colonic transit time in liquid diet-fed volunteers might be caused by the combined effect of increased colonic fermentation and high basal cholecystokinin concentrations.

Intraosseous ganglion cysts in the wrist are more common than previously reported. In some patients, bone scanning, conventional radiography, and/or MR imaging will aid surgical resection that could provide symptomatic relief of unexplained wrist pain.

No abstract