Gut
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Sensory thresholds and brain evoked potentials were determined in 12 healthy volunteers using electrical stimulation of the oesophagus 28 and 38 cm from the nares. The peaks of the evoked potentials were designated N for negative deflections and P for positive. Continuous electrical stimulation (40 Hz) at the 38 cm position resembled heartburn (five of 12 subjects) while non-specific ('electrical') sensations were provoked at 28 cm (10 of 12). ⋯ P1 and N1 latencies were significantly shorter 38 cm (medians 100 and 141 ms) than 28 cm from the nares (102 and 148 ms) (p = 0.04 and p = 0.008). Electrical stimulation of the oesophagus may serve as a human experimental model for visceral pain. Longer evoked potential latencies from the proximal compared with distal stimulations provide new information about the sensory pathways of the oesophagus.
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The ideal imaging method in inflammatory bowel disease would reliably detect inflammation, identify the correct intestinal location, and assess the severity of the disease. The aim of this study was to compare scintigraphic methods of quantifying overall disease activity using both indium-111 (111In) and technetium-99M (99mTc) HMPAO labelled leucocyte scans. The four day faecal excretion of 111In was measured after 111In scintigraphy in 24 patients known to have inflammatory bowel disease. ⋯ In conclusion, in inflammatory bowel disease 99mTc HMPAO scintigraphy and faecal 111In excretion correlated well. Either method can quantify and localise the inflammation. As 99mTc HMPAO scanning provides a quicker result, with a lower radiation dose, and avoids faecal collection, it may be the preferred method.