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Gastroparesis after radiation

Successful treatment with carbachol

Digestive Diseases and Sciences volume 31, pages 1377–1380 (1986)Cite this article

Summary

Following abdominal radiation, a 16-year-old male developed persistent vomitin, metabolic alkalosis, and cachexia secondary to gastric stasis, atony, and dilatation in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Fluoroscopically and manometrically, antral motility was found to be severely impaired. Antral motor activity was not influenced by metoclopramide, but stimulated by carbachol. During oral maintenance carbachol therapy, gastric emptying of food was restored and sufficient oral nutrition could be resumed. The improvement persisted even after termination of therapy four months later. Systematic investigations on the effects of abdominal radiation on gastrointestinal motility appear to be necessary.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, D-4300, Essen, Federal Republic of Germany

    P. Layer MD, P. Demol MD, J. Hotz MD & H. Goebell MD

Authors
  1. P. Layer MD
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  2. P. Demol MD
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  3. J. Hotz MD
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  4. H. Goebell MD
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Additional information

P. Demol was a recipient of a fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung, Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany.

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Layer, P., Demol, P., Hotz, J. et al. Gastroparesis after radiation. Digest Dis Sci 31, 1377–1380 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01299817

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01299817

Keywords

  • Public Health
  • Radiation
  • Motor Activity
  • Gastric Emptying
  • Metoclopramide