What is the meaning of colorectal transit time measurement?

Abstract

This study was done to understand the different available methods used to calculate colorectal transit times. A single abdominal radiograph is taken following six successive daily ingestions of the same number of identical radiopaque markers. This method correlates well (P less than 0.001) with that using a single ingestion of markers with daily x-ray films until total expulsion. In techniques used to measure colorectal transit time with multiple ingestion of markers, the number of days of ingestion depends on the kinetics of marker defecation. This was found to differ markedly in various groups of control subjects and constipated patients (P less than 0.001) and can be used to obtain reliable data, even in subjects with severe constipation. When they ingest 20 markers, constipated patients are found to retain eight or more markers three days after ingestion, and taking a plain film of the abdomen on that day is sufficient to make a diagnosis of constipation. Transit time studies are reproducible from month to month in patients with an irritable bowel syndrome. Control subjects who claim that their bowel habits are not modified by stress have shorter transit times, similar in both sexes, than those who say they are (P less than 0.001). This may explain why a large percentage of constipated patients have been found by most authors to have "normal" colorectal transit times. The choice of control subjects is thus a key element in studies of functional bowel motor disorders. Stool frequency and consistency, in health, correlate only to rectosigmoid transit time.

Clinical evaluation and management of neurogenic bowel after spinal cord injury

“…Retention of 10 or more markers in the right colon, left colon or rectosigmoid were de®ned as colonic inertia, hindgut dysfunction and outlet obstruction respectively. 8,20,22 The ®nding of 10 or more markers gathered in more than one sector was considered a mixed pattern. Xrays taken every 5 days categorized the abnormal CTTs as follows: moderate, when more than 10 markers were seen until the tenth day; severe, when more than 10 markers were seen until the ®fteenth day; and very severe when 10 or more markers were noted at 20 or more days.…”

Value of Abdominal Radiography, Colonic Transit Time, and Rectal Ultrasound Scanning in the Diagnosis of Idiopathic Constipation in Children: A Systematic Review

“…We identified one robust systematic review, 4 included studies that reported data that enabled calculation of sensitivity and specificity, 4,5,32,33 and two more recent studies (Table IV). 24,25 All studies except one 24 were performed in referred children.…”

Acupuncture in Treatment of Chronic Functional Constipation

“…The methodology is not standardized in radiopaque marker and the abdomen plain X-ray film taken time. A positive result was defined as more than 20% of the radiopaque marker remaining on day five (120 h later), as indicative of slow transit time according to a plain X-ray film of the abdomen [14].…”