Radiological Bile Acid Absorption Test 75 SeHCAT in Patients with Diarrhoea of Unknown Cause

Abstract

Purpose:

The purpose with this study was to investigate the usefulness of the ⁷⁵SeHCAT test in patients suffering from “functional” diarrhoea and to disclose earlier radiological investigations performed in the course of disease.

Material and Methods:

Twenty patients with chronic diarrhoea of unknown cause were investigated with the ⁷⁵SeHCAT test. The cholestyramine test and an estimation of oro-caecal transit time (OCTT) were also performed in 13 and 10 patients respectively.

Results:

Ten patients had low 7-day retention (≤15%). Nine of these were tested with cholestyramine and 8 showed complete relief from the diarrhoea. The cholestyramine test had no effect on the 4 patients with normal bile acid retention. No correlation was found between the retention of ⁷⁵SeHCAT and OCCT. A total of 80 inconclusive gastrointestinal barium examinations were performed during the course of disease.

Conclusion:

Pathological bile acid retention, studied with the radiological ⁷⁵SeHCAT test, is common in patients with diarrhoea of unknown cause. The test should be performed earlier in the course of disease in order to prevent unnecessary radiological investigations and to reduce patient suffering and distress.