Small intestinal manometry in gastrointestinal disorders

Background: Small intestinal manometry is a relatively simple technique. Ho wever, its use is usually limited to very few centers and mainly related to research studies. Aim: To report our experience with small intestinal moti lity studies in a group of normal controls and patients with symptoms sugge sting a gastrointestinal motor disorder. Patients and methods: Seventy thre e studies were performed in 71 subjects: 18 asymptomatic controls and 55 pa tients presenting with symptoms characterised by abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. In 33 patients the same symptoms remai ned without diagnosis, in spite of extensive laboratory studies. In 10 of t hese, dilated small intestinal loops were observed and intestinal pseudoobs truction was suspected. Twenty two additional patients with systemic disord ers such as scleroderma, diabetes and previous vagotomies, were studied. Mo tility was assessed by means of perfused catheters connected to external tr ansducers for a mean lapse of 280 min. Results: An abnormal pattern of smal l intestinal motility suggesting neuropathic, myopathic or a mixed disorder was observed in 76% of all studied patients, with the exception of patient s with scleroderma, in whom only myopathic and mixed alterations were obser ved. In 82% of patients, the results of manometry were useful for the manag ement of the clinical conditions. Conclusions: small intestinal manometry i s a relative simple technique that, when used in selected groups of patient s, provides useful information for clinical management.