Radiographic Sitzmarker Study

Unless you work in a hospital that routinely treats pediatrics or you have been around the world of radiography for a while, you may not have seen a Sitzmarker test.  This exam is done for patients who have experienced chronic constipation, and may be used to support a number of gastrointestinal disorders.  

Procedure:  A capsule is swallowed containing several metal rings encased in plastic.  Once the capsule dissolves, the rings disperse and can be followed through the GI tract.

I have seen varying routines depending upon radiologists' preference at different imaging departments.  The patient could return every day (approximately the same time of day) for a follow-up KUB, and I have seen them spaced out as far as 5 days.  The dictation should note the difference in location of the rings, as well as the amount of time for motility to allow the rings to pass.

The normal GI tract should evacuate the rings within 2-3 days.  Other disease processes could make the rings take more or less time, but most frequent findings are with constipation where it delays passage for more than 5 days.