Testing the validity of the nuclear medicine colonic transit study: is slow transit constipation familial?

Abstract Purpose Nuclear scintigraphy is a tool for the investigation of chronic constipation. We aim to assess the predictive value of diagnostic categories used in this test. As nuclear scintigraphy is expensive, this study aims to assess the rationale for its use.Methods A retrospective review identified 203 paediatric patients who had undergone nuclear scintigraphy for constipation in 2006–2021. Patients were grouped by radiological diagnosis, and their clinical features, medical history, family history and long-term outcomes were compared.Results 18.7% of patients were diagnosed normal transit, 19.7% functional faecal retention (FFR), 48.8% slow transit constipation (STC) and 12.8% mixed. There were no significant differences in presentation of these groups. Whilst no variation in family history of bowel conditions was found, there was a significant association between abnormal transit constipation and family history of neurodevelopmental disorders. Patients with abnormal transit had a worse prognosis than those with a normal report.Conclusion While there is a significant family history of constipation in all types of constipation, STC and FFR are not more heritable than other subtypes of constipation, however they are linked to a family history of neurodevelopmental disorders. Nuclear scintigraphy has real diagnostic and prognostic value, justifying its continued use in practice.