Bloated irritable bowel syndrome defined by dynamic 99mTc bran scan.

The motility of the ileocaecal region of the gut was studied in 10 women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and bloating and in 8 normal women. Bran labelled with 37 MBq 99mTc was administered after fasting, and a dynamic scan was done after a standard meal 3 h later. Time-activity curves were plotted for the ileum and caecum. In controls, ileal emptying was faster, peak % counts in the caecum were higher, and ileocaecal clearance was greater than in those with IBS. The profound motor dysfunction seen in those with IBS may account for their symptoms, and the "bran scan" could become an important diagnostic aid.