Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A comparison of the structure and function of the terminal lleum in crohn's disease using radiology, the “dicopac” schilling test and [14C] G.C.A. Breath test

  • Published:
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Twenty patients with Crohn's disease were studied. Thirteen had radiological evidence of involvement of the terminal ileum. None had significant bacterial overgrowth of the small bowel contents and none had had resection of the terminal ileum. In all patients a [14C] glycocholic acid ([14C] G.C.A.) breath test and a “Dicopac” Schilling test were performed to assess terminal ileal function. The data showed poor correlation between the radiological appearance of the terminal ileum and the results of the functional tests. There was also poor correlation between the results of the [14C] G.C.A. breath test and the “Dicopac” Schilling test. Without terminal ileal histology, any assessment of the extent of Crohn's disease of the terminal ileum and of its effect on terminal ileal function, must include the [14C] G.C.A. breath test as well as radiology and the “Dicopac” Schilling test. The limitations of the [14C] G.C.A. breath test as a test of terminal ileal function in Crohn's disease are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bell, T.K., Bridges, J.M., Nelson, M.G.: Simultaneous free and bound radioactive vitamin B12 urinary excretion test. J. Clin Path. 18, 611–613 (1965)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Farmer, R.G., Hawk, W.A., Turnbull, R.B.: Clinical patterns in Crohn's disease, a statistical study of 615 cases. Gastroenterology 68, 627–635 (1975)

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fromm, H., Hofmann, A.F.: Breath test for altered bile acid metabolism. Lancet 2, 621–625 (1971)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fromm, H., Thomas, P.J., Hofmann, A.F.: Sensitivity and specificity in tests of distal ileal function: prospective comparison of bile acid and vitamin B12 absorption in ileal resection patients. Gastroenterology 64, 1077–1090 (1973)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann, A.F., Fromm, H.: New breath test for bile acid deconjugation. N. Engl. J. Med. 285, 686–687 (1971)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann, A.F., Thomas, P.J.: Editorial. Bile acid and breath test extremely simple, moderately useful. Ann. Intern Med. 79, 743–744 (1973)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • James, O.F.W., Agnew, J.E., Bouchier, I.A.D.: Assessment of the [14C] glycocholic acid breath test. Brit. Med. J. 3, 191–195 (1973)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Law, D.H.: Regional enteritis. Gastroenterology 56, 1086–1110 (1969)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mackenzie, I., Holden, R.J., Crean, G.P.: [14C] Glycocholic-Acid Breath Test. Lancet 1, 311 (1977)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Metz, G., Cassul, M.A., Drasar, B.S., Jenkins, D.J.A., Blendis, L.M.: Breath hydrogen test for small intestinal bacterial colonisation. Lancet 1, 668–669 (1976)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parkin, D.M., O'Moore, R.R., Cussons, D.J., Warwick, R.R.G., Rooney, P., Percy-Robb, I.W., Shearman, D.J.C.: Evaluation of the “breath test” in the detection of bacterial colonisation of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Lancet 2, 777–780 (1972)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thaysen, E.H.: Diagnostic value of the [14C] cholylglycine breath test. Clin. Gastroenterology 6, (1) 227–245 (1977)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Scotland

    S. C. Glover

  2. University of Aberdeen/Consultant Physician Gastrointestinal Unit, Woodend General Hospital, Aberdeen, Scotland

    N. A. G. Mowat

Authors
  1. S. C. Glover
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. N. A. G. Mowat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Glover, S.C., Mowat, N.A.G. A comparison of the structure and function of the terminal lleum in crohn's disease using radiology, the “dicopac” schilling test and [14C] G.C.A. Breath test. Eur J Nucl Med 3, 121–124 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00251636

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00251636

Keywords

Search

Navigation