| Theme |
Recent Advances in Gastrointestinal Functio Tests |
| Title |
Colonic Sensory and Motor Exmination: Barostat Method |
| Author |
Shin Fukudo |
Department of Behavioral Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author |
Yasuhiro Sagami |
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Michio Hongo |
Department of Comprehensive Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
Sophisticated methods are being developed to clarify the pathophysiology of individual patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders. The barostat is one method being used to measure tone and sensation in the gastrointestinal tract. A polyethylene bag is inserted into the colon or rectum and the bag is inflated with low, constant pressure, using a barostat pump and a computer. Bag pressure, bag volume, and bag compliance are measured to detect changes in tone and phasic volume events in the colorectum. This technique enabled us to detect the relaxation and accommodation of the colorectum, which standard manometry of the gastrointestinal tract usually fails to measure. Moreover, one of the benefits of using this technique is that we can quantify the pressure sensitivity of the humans gastrointestinal tract. Sensory examination is performed by stimulation of the colorectum with variable bag pressure in a programmed manner. Barostatic examination is a reliable, quantitative method to clarify the pathophysiology of individual patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, especially irritable bowel syndrome, as well as other functional bowel disorders. |