Investigation of Colonic Transit in Constipated Adults Using 99mTc—DTPA—Carbo Medicinalis Labeled Meal

Background and Objectives: Constipation is a common problem in the general population. About 15% of the population suffers from one of the defecation disorders caused by various etiological factors. The goal of this work was the implementation of scintigraphic evaluation of colonic transit in patients with constipation. Materials and Methods: A total of 117 patients were examined (68 (58%) women and 49 (42%) men, in whom the existence of constipation was determined in the previous period by self-evaluation and using the ROMA IV criteria. All patients were given an oral test meal containing 99mTc-labeled charcoal in a dose of 370 MBq. Targeted static scintigrams were performed 8, 24, and 48 hours after the application of the test meal in the anterior projection over the abdomen. All scintigrams were qualitatively examined, and after the qualitative assessment, the geometric center (GC) of the radiopharmaceutical distribution was calculated. Results: Generalized slowing of colonic transit was detected in 85% of women while 15% of female subjects showed both qualitatively and GC-estimated normal colonic transit. In men, slowed colonic transit was detected in 78% of examined patients, while 22% of patients had qualitatively normal colonic transit and GC that fell within normal values. Idiopathic constipation was detected in 85% of women and 88% of men. A smaller number of patients showed the existence of etiological factors for slowed colonic transit. Conclusions: Scintigraphic evaluation of colonic transit using 99mTc-DTPA-labeled medical charcoal has proven to be an easy-to-perform, non-invasive method by which it is possible to detect the presence of slowing of colonic transit. In addition to the qualitative assessment of the obtained scintigrams, quantification by calculating the geometric center enables an even more precise insight into the assessment of the segment of the large intestine in which the slowing of colonic transit occurred.