A new study published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences examined whether the amount of fecal material visible on abdominal CT scans is associated with bowel function and gastrointestinal symptoms. Researchers analyzed 205 adults undergoing CT abdomen/pelvis and compared radiologic fecal burden, measured using the Starreveld scoring method, with patient-reported GI symptoms.
Higher total-colon fecal burden showed weak associations with lower stool frequency, fewer liquid bowel movements and greater difficulty evacuating stool. However, fecal burden was not associated with hard stools, urgency, fullness, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain or nausea. The authors concluded that CT-detected fecal burden is poorly associated with GI symptoms beyond difficulty evacuating.