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Tagging-based, electronically cleansed CT colonography: evaluation of patient comfort and image readability.

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare the homogeneity, adequacy, and patient acceptance of nonionic iodine-based regimens with those of a barium-based regimen for computed tomographic (CT) colonography with electronic subtraction cleansing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained, 68 subjects (41 men (60%) men, 27 (40%) women; mean age, 60 years +/- 6 [standard deviation]) with average or moderate risk factors for development of colorectal carcinoma were recruited and placed into three study groups. Group 1 (n = 25) ingested 150-mL aliquots of 2% barium sulfate suspension with meals and snacks for 48 hours prior to imaging, without other diet modification or a cathartic. Group 2 (n = 21) ingested 10-mL aliquots of nonionic iodinated contrast material (iopromide) with a concentration of 300 mg per milliliter with meals and snacks for 2 days before imaging, without diet modification or a cathartic. Group 3 (n = 22) ingested nonionic iodinated contrast material (iohexol) with a concentration of 300 mg per milliliter with meals and snacks for 2 days before imaging and ingested 34 g of magnesium citrate the evening prior to imaging. CT colonography was also performed on 10 control subjects who ingested polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution prior to imaging. Subjective and numerical measures of bowel preparation quality, homogeneity, and patient comfort among the noncathartic and cathartic cohorts were compared with nonparametric analysis of variance, the Fisher exact test, and the F test, as appropriate. The study was HIPAA compliant. RESULTS: Study subjects who received tagging preparations reported significantly improved discomfort scores when compared with those of the control subjects (P < .05, each comparison). There was no significant difference in discomfort scores among groups 1, 2, and 3. For each reader, scores of subtracted image readability were highest for group 3. Dichotomized rates of preparation "success" were also greatest for group 3. CONCLUSION: In this series, the patient discomfort scores were significantly improved with tagging preparations for CT colonography. Nonionic iodinated contrast material in conjunction with a hyperosmotic laxative (magnesium citrate) was associated with the best subjective and numerical indices of readability.

Aged↗

Adsorptive capacity of activated charcoal for rifampicin with and without sodium chloride and sodium citrate.

The effects of two saline cathartics (sodium chloride and sodium citrate) on the adsorptive capacity of activated charcoal (AC) for rifampicin were studied. Solutions of rifampicin alone and rifampicin with 7.5 mg/ml cathartic solution were vortex-mixed for 30 s with different quantities of AC. These were incubated for 30 min at 37 degrees C and analyzed for free rifampicin spectrophotometrically at 320 nm. The addition of sodium citrate significantly increased (p<0.05) the adsorptive capacity of AC for rifampicin with a resulting decrease in B-50 values at both the therapeutic and simulated toxic doses. Sodium chloride addition reduced the binding of rifampicin to AC at the toxic doses. The adsorption of rifampicin to activated charcoal, both alone and with the two saline cathartics, obeyed quantity-dependent kinetics. AC may be co-administered with sodium citrate in the management of rifampicin overdose.

Adsorption↗

Absorption of magnesium from orally administered magnesium sulfate in man.

The use of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) as a cathartic in patients with impaired renal function can lead to severe toxicity due to hypermagnesemia. Although toxicity is uncommon in healthy subjects, little is known concerning the extent of absorption of magnesium after a cathartic dose of magnesium sulfate. The bioavailability of magnesium following a large oral dose of magnesium sulfate in normal volunteers was examined in the present investigation. Baseline 24-hour urinary excretion rates of magnesium and creatinine were determined over 3 consecutive days in 6 healthy men. The oral administration of 13.9 g (56.5 mmoles) magnesium sulfate U.S.P., in 4 equal hourly increments, resulted in the urinary excretion (corrected for baseline excretion rate) of 4.0 +/- 2.9% (mean +/- SD) of the dose of magnesium during the first 24 hours and 6.9 +/- 7.0% of the dose during a 72-hour interval. Magnesium sulfate administration had no effect on the 24-hour urinary excretion rate of creatinine. The baseline excretion rate of magnesium was significantly correlated with that of creatinine (r = 0.875) and inorganic sulfate (r = 0.921). All of the subjects experienced mild or moderate diarrhea. Therefore, magnesium is absorbed to a limited and variable extent in healthy adults following a cathartic dose of magnesium sulfate.

Administration, Oral↗

Catharsis and abreaction in the history of psychological healing.

With roots in ancient religious practices of purification and cleansing and in ancient medicine's purgings, Plato evolved a verbal catharsis for diseases of the soul, and Aristotle developed a catharsis of the passions through tragic drama. Through the centuries, most cultures have had recognized contexts in which emotions were evoked, heightened in intensity, and ultimately released or discharged; and cathartic procedures can be detected in many cultures' healing practices. The late decades of the nineteenth century saw the emergence of numerous psychological healings with a cathartic basis. Catharsis came to mean the lively remembering of a traumatic experience in addition to the emotional release; and the term abreaction frequently was used to refer to the emotional release. Subsequently, the notion that the recovered traumatic memories needed to be integrated with the rest of the patient's mental life became a third significant element. The significance of these three factors has been debated vigorously; but, whether it has been some combination of them or merely the emotional discharge, there has been a cathartic element in many twentieth-century approaches to psychological healing.

Abreaction↗

Outcome and predictors of success of biofeedback for constipation.

BACKGROUND: A study was undertaken to determine outcome and to identify predictors of success for biofeedback for constipation. METHODS: Patients who had at least one biofeedback session were evaluated whether or not they completed a treatment course. Parameters assessed included use of cathartics, number of spontaneous bowel movements per week, presence of rectal pain, number of biofeedback sessions and results of anorectal physiology. RESULTS: A total of 194 patients (59 male, 135 female) of median age 71 (range 11-96) years, including 30 with concomitant rectal pain, were treated. The median number of spontaneous bowel movements per week before treatment was 0. Some 35 per cent of patients had complete success (three or more spontaneous bowel movements per week with discontinuation of cathartics), 13 per cent had partial success (fewer than three spontaneous bowel movements per week with continued use of cathartics) and 51 per cent had no improvement. Neither patient age, sex nor duration of symptoms significantly affected outcome. Only 18 per cent of patients who had between two and four sessions had complete success, compared with 44 per cent of those who had five or more (P < 0.001). A total of 63 per cent of patients who completed the treatment protocol experienced complete success, compared with 25 per cent of those who self-discharged (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This large study indicates that the success rate of biofeedback for patients with constipation is less than previously reported. However, the success rate improves significantly after five or more sessions and is significantly related to the patient's willingness to complete treatment.

Adolescent↗

Small bowel obstruction caused by a medication bezoar: report of a case.

We report herein the rare case of a 26-year-old woman who developed a small-bowel obstruction caused by a medication "bezoar" or enterolith, following the long-term ingestion of magnesium oxide cathartics for constipation. Medication bezoars resulting from laxatives or cathartics have rarely been reported and we were only able to find two other such cases in the literature.

Abdomen, Acute↗

Bowel preparation for gastrointestinal procedures.

Adequate colonic cleansing is essential for accurate and safe colonic procedures. Common preparations for cleansing include diet in combination with a cathartic agent, gut lavage, and phosphate preparations. The diet used with a cathartic consists of clear liquids or is designed to leave a minimal colonic fecal residue with laxatives. Gut lavage solutions wash out the colon in a safe and effective manner. Phosphate preparations offer an attractive alternative due to smaller volumes required for ingestion; however, electrolyte disturbances can occur. This review discusses the development and clinical experience with various colon cleansing regimens and efforts to improve the tolerability and safety of preparation for colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, colon surgery, barium enema, and flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Administration, Oral↗

Magnesium toxicity secondary to catharsis during management of theophylline poisoning.

Multiple doses of oral activated charcoal are used increasingly to promote elimination of toxins that have already reached the bloodstream; this is often referred to as gastrointestinal dialysis. Cathartics usually are used in conjunction to hasten transit of the charcoal-adsorbed toxin. In the present case, a regimen of activated charcoal and magnesium citrate was used to treat a patient with theophylline poisoning. It was effective in lowering the patient's serum theophylline concentration but produced an elevated magnesium level associated with decreased responsiveness, confusion, and diminished deep tendon reflexes. Magnesium citrate may not be the optimal cathartic for use in gastrointestinal dialysis, at least in selected patients. Sorbitol has been shown to produce a more rapid catharsis without disturbing magnesium serum concentrations. Therefore, the use of sorbitol in place of magnesium citrate, at least in selected patients, may be preferred.

Aged↗

Gastrointestinal decontamination for acute poisoning.

Gastric decontamination remains an important element in the therapy of pediatric poisoning; however, several issues remain unresolved. Additional studies, particularly in the clinical setting, are necessary to establish optimal therapeutic recommendations. Based on the data presented in this review, the following general recommendations can be made for gastric decontamination in children: If it is necessary to remove an ingested toxin, ipecac syrup is the preferred method if contraindications to its use are not present. The dose should be 30 ml in children older than 1 year of age and 10 ml in children 6 to 12 months of age. Pending further studies, the use of emetics in children younger than 6 months of age cannot be generally recommended, particularly in the home setting. Gastric lavage should be considered to be of very limited use in pediatric patients. Lavage using small nasogastric tubes, except under special circumstances, is nonproductive and cannot be advocated. If it must be used, a large-bore orogastric hose should be used. Administration of activated charcoal prior to lavage should be considered. In situations in which prompt induction of emesis is not possible or contraindications to emesis exist, activated charcoal followed by, or mixed with, a cathartic (preferably sorbitol) should be used as an alternative to removal of gastric contents. Patients with significant symptoms from ingestion requiring hospitalization should receive repeat doses of charcoal and cathartic until symptoms resolve. Activated charcoal should be given in conjunction with other appropriate therapies. Although the data to substantiate this recommendation are limited, particularly in pediatric patients, it is a benign therapy that holds promise of increasing drug elimination.

Absorption↗

Hypernatremia due to repeated doses of charcoal-sorbitol.

Hypernatremic dehydration due to unreplaced stool water losses often complicates the use of the osmotic cathartic lactulose in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. Sorbitol, another osmotic cathartic commonly used in the treatment of drug intoxications, has been reported in the pediatric literature to induce severe hypernatremia, but there is only a rare case report in an adult. We report a dramatic case of severe hypernatremia secondary to repetitive administration of activated charcoal-sorbitol suspension for the treatment of phenobarbital intoxication in an adult. Based on our experience with this case, several recommendations are provided regarding management of drug intoxications with charcoal-sorbitol suspension, including meticulous attention to fluid-electrolyte balance, type of replacement fluid, and dosing of the suspension.

Adult↗

Review article: colon cleansing preparation for gastrointestinal procedures.

Adequate cleansing is essential for reliable diagnostic and surgical colon procedures. Accuracy and safety depend on good preparation. Patient compliance is enhanced by simplicity and well-tolerated methods. Several methods are available. Diet and cathartic regimens utilize clear liquids or diets designed to leave a minimal colonic residue. Laxatives, cathartics and enemas are employed. Gut lavage solutions are osmotically balanced electrolyte lavage products. Oral sodium phosphate solutions and tablets are available and are attractive because of good efficacy with a small volume of administration. For colonoscopy and colon surgery preparation, these methods have been proven safe and effective. For barium enema X-ray, lavage requires an adjunctive agent such as bisacodyl to enhance barium coating. Overall, all regimens are well-tolerated. This review discusses the development and clinical experience with various colon cleansing regimens.

Administration, Oral↗

Position statement and practice guidelines on the use of multi-dose activated charcoal in the treatment of acute poisoning. American Academy of Clinical Toxicology; European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists.

In preparing this Position Statement, all relevant scientific literature was identified and reviewed critically by acknowledged experts using agreed criteria. Well-conducted clinical and experimental studies were given precedence over anecdotal case reports and abstracts were not usually considered. A draft Position Statement was then produced and subjected to detailed peer review by an international group of clinical toxicologists chosen by the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists. The Position Statement went through multiple drafts before being approved by the Boards of the two societies. The Position Statement includes a summary statement for ease of use and is supported by detailed documentation which describes the scientific evidence on which the Statement is based. Although many studies in animals and volunteers have demonstrated that multiple-dose activated charcoal increases drug elimination significantly, this therapy has not yet been shown in a controlled study in poisoned patients to reduce morbidity and mortality. Further studies are required to establish its role and the optimal dosage regimen of charcoal to be administered. Based on experimental and clinical studies, multiple-dose activated charcoal should be considered only if a patient has ingested a life-threatening amount of carbamazepine, dapsone, phenobarbital, quinine, or theophylline. With all of these drugs there are data to confirm enhanced elimination, though no controlled studies have demonstrated clinical benefit. Although volunteer studies have demonstrated that multiple-dose activated charcoal increases the elimination of amitriptyline, dextropropoxyphene, digitoxin, digoxin, disopyramide, nadolol, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, piroxicam, and sotalol, there are insufficient clinical data to support or exclude the use of this therapy. The use of multiple-dose charcoal in salicylate poisoning is controversial. One animal study and 2 of 4 volunteer studies did not demonstrate increased salicylate clearance with multiple-dose charcoal therapy. Data in poisoned patients are insufficient presently to recommend the use of multiple-dose charcoal therapy for salicylate poisoning. Multiple-dose activated charcoal did not increase the elimination of astemizole, chlorpropamide, doxepin, imipramine, meprobamate, methotrexate, phenytoin, sodium valproate, tobramycin, and vancomycin in experimental and/or clinical studies. Unless a patient has an intact or protected airway, the administration of multiple-dose activated charcoal is contraindicated. It should not be used in the presence of an intestinal obstruction. The need for concurrent administration of cathartics remains unproven and is not recommended. In particular, cathartics should not be administered to young children because of the propensity of laxatives to cause fluid and electrolyte imbalance. In conclusion, based on experimental and clinical studies, multiple-dose activated charcoal should be considered only if a patient has ingested a life-threatening amount of carbamazepine, dapsone, phenobarbital, quinine, or theophylline.

Acute Disease↗

Inciting and etiologic agents of colitis.

Since 1979, 3,115 stool samples were tested for detection of Clostridium difficile and its cytotoxin; these were obtained from patients who had drug-related diarrhea. Presumed or proven colitis due to C. difficile was diagnosed in 130 patients. Drugs implicated most commonly as causing or associated with the onset of enterocolitis due to C. difficile were ampicillin (38 episodes), cephalosporins (71), clindamycin (36), and the aminoglycosides (45). The hamster model of colitis was employed to explore the role of other inducing agents. Altering the usual diet of hamsters to one with a higher protein content decreased the time to death due to C. difficile cecitis following the administration of cefazolin (10 mg). Several cathartics also were studied for their effect on the lethality of antibiotic-induced cecitis. Daily administrations of castor oil (0.5 ml per day) and vegetable oil (1.0 ml per day) improved survival against lethal doses of clindamycin. Milk of magnesia or mineral oil provided no protection. Four patients with C. difficile colitis induced by therapy with cytotoxic drugs also were identified. Methotrexate induced cecitis when administered orally and daily to hamsters, and C. difficile and its cytotoxin were identified in the hamsters' stools. Death due to methotrexate-induced cecitis was prevented by daily administration of folinic acid or vancomycin. These data demonstrate that a variety of antibiotics, antineoplastic agents, cathartics, and diet changes can induce C. difficile colitis in humans and hamsters.

Animals↗

Bowel preparation before colonoscopy in the pediatric patient: a randomized study.

Flexible fiberoptic colonoscopy is an established diagnostic procedure in the pediatric patient. The approach to the pediatric patient is, however, different from the approach to adults. Bowel preparation must be geared to the age, size, and clinical status of the patient. An effective, palatable, standardized bowel preparation has not been determined for the child undergoing a colonoscopy. This study systematically evaluated three components of the bowel preparation--cathartics, diet, and enema use. The bowel preparation of 140 children undergoing colonoscopy at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was evaluated. The effectiveness of the bowel preparation was evaluated by direct visualization during the colonoscopy as to the amount and consistency of the residual stool in the colon. Parents were interviewed to determine adherence to the instructions including tolerance of diet, cathartics, and enema administration. Equipment maintenance was also monitored. An effective bowel preparation was achieved in all groups. As a result of this study, the Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia now uses a less restrictive diet, one enema, and X-Prep to achieve effective bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

Adult↗

Encopresis: a study of treatment alternatives and historical and behavioral characteristics.

The historical, demographic and pre/post treatment behavioral profiles of a Health Maintenance Organization's (HMO) encopresis patients were studied. The efficacy of two maintenance treatments were also compared. Management included an initial bowel evacuation, high fiber diet, behavior modification program, and random assignment to maintenance on oral laxatives or conditional rectal cathartics. Of the 136 patients evaluated, 61 completed treatment (oral 24; rectal 37). Significant behavioral problems were identified. However, the majority (65%) of patients were managed without psychosocial intervention and successful completion of treatment significantly improved most behaviors. There were no significant differences in efficacy between the oral laxative or conditional rectal cathartic maintenance groups completing treatment. In 87% success continued 6 to 12 months post-treatment.

Administration, Oral↗

Review article: orthograde gut lavage for colonoscopy.

Most colon cleansing regimens for surgical and diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopy are modifications of older barium enema X-ray preparations which have evolved in gastrointestinal laboratories influenced by empiric experience. Recent formal study allows for careful comparison of gut lavage, diet and cathartic, and oral sodium phosphate preparations. This review will evaluate oral lavage solutions and address their safety, tolerance and efficacy. Administration options are discussed as well as other diet and cathartic methods previously referred to as 'standard preps'.

Administration, Oral↗

Safety issues regarding colonic cleansing for diagnostic and surgical procedures.

There are various methods available to cleanse the colon in preparation for diagnostic and surgical procedures. The popular options are diet and cathartic regimens, gut lavage and phosphate preparations. Each method has its own unique characteristics and safety profile. Diet and cathartic regimens are based on traditional methods of colonoscopy preparation and remain an acceptable and safe alternative for patients unwilling or unable to tolerate other bowel preparations. Gut lavage methods involve ingestion of 2-4L of osmotically balanced solutions containing polyethylene glycol, which have been shown to be safe and effective for colon cleansing, including for special patient populations with cardiac, renal or hepatic dysfunction. Phosphate preparations have also been shown to be safe and effective for colon cleansing and are generally better tolerated than counterpart gut lavage solutions. However, this method has safety concerns for some patients with cardiac, renal and hepatic dysfunctions.

Cathartics↗

Screening and identification of proteins mediating senna induced gastrointestinal motility enhancement in mouse colon.

AIM: To isolate the proteins involved in pharmacologic action of senna extract (SE) from mouse gastrointestinal tract and to explore the molecular mechanism of gastrointestinal motility change induced by SE. METHODS: SE was administrated to mice by different routes. Gastrointestinal motility of mice was observed using cathartic, gastrointestinal propellant movement experiments and X-ray analysis. Mouse model for gastrointestinal motility enhancement was established through continuous gastric administration of SE at progressively increased dose. At 3 h and week 3, 4, 6 and 10, morphological changes of gastrointestinal tissues were found under light microscope. Ultrastructural changes of intestinal and colonic tissues at week 6 were observed under transmission electron microscope. The colonic proteomic changes in model mice were examined by two-dimension polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with immobilized pH gradient isoelectric focusing to screen the differentially expressed proteins, and their molecular masses and isoelectric points were determined. Two N-terminal sequences of the samples were also determined by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: SE (0.3g) caused diarrhea after gastric administration in 1-6h and enhanced gastrointestinal propellant (65.1+/-7.5%; 45.8+/-14.6%, P<0.01) in mice, but intramuscular and hypodermic injection had no cathartic effect. X-ray analysis of gastrointestinal motility demonstrated that gastric administration of SE enhanced gastric evacuation and gastrointestinal transferring function. At 3 h and week 3 and 4 after gastric administration of SE, light microscopic examination revealed no apparent change in gastrointestinal mucosal tissues, but transmission electron microscopic examination revealed inflammatory changes in whole layer of intestinal and colonic wall. Twenty differential proteins were detected in the colonic tissues of the model mice by two-dimensional electrophoresis, and the N-terminal amino acid sequences of two proteins were determined. CONCLUSION: SE causes diarrhea and enhances gastrointestinal motility through digestive tract administration. Long-term gastric administration of SE induces inflammatory changes and cell damage in the whole gastrointestinal tract. The differential proteins screened from the colonic tissues of the model mice might mediate the enhancing effect of SE on gastrointestinal motility.

Animals↗