Colonic dysfunction in patients with thoracic spinal cord injury

Anorectal function in patients with complete supraconal spinal cord lesions.

“…BASAL PRESSURE In all control and spinal patients studied, there was an initial increase in external anal sphincter electromyographic activity on insertion of the anorectal tube which then declined in concert with the anal pressure to reach a stable baseline. The time taken to achieve a stable baseline was shorter in spinal patients compared with controls (median (range): 5 (0-10) minutes v 15 (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15) minutes; p<005). The minimum basal pressures in patients with complete supraconal spinal lesions were similar to those seen in control subjects (mean (SD) 50 (8) v 55 (6) cmH2O), although the maximal basal pressures recorded immediately after tube insertion were lower (77 (9) v 95 (6) cmH2O, p<0 005).…”

Increased incidence of biliary sludge and normal gall bladder contractility in patients with high spinal cord injury

“…4 The resultant delay in gut transit would lead to a relative increase in deoxycholic acid in the bile acid pool, which may result in lithogenic bile 25. We could not however, measure intestinal transit in our patients to test this hypothesis.…”

Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Spinal Cord Injury: Relationships With Level of Injury and Psychologic Factors

“…19 Krogh et al 20 also have reported pancolonic prolongation of transit time in chronic supraconal SCI compared with delayed rectosigmoid transit in patients with chronic conal or cauda equina lesions. An attenuated gastrocolonic reflex, 21,22 weakness or absence of abdominal wall contraction, and anorectal dysfunction 23,24 are other potential contributing factors to the variation in constipation prevalence in SCI individuals with different levels of neurologic deficit. Lynch et al 24 demonstrated several altered patterns of anorectal manometry in SCI.…”