Initiation of SeHCAT® protocol in a digestive service: a further step in the management of chronic diarrhea

Abstract

Bile acid malabsorption (BAM) is a common cause of chronic diarrhoea. Recent work has shown that it is probably an under-diagnosed entity. BAM is classified into 4 types depending on what conditions it. Type I involves organic involvement of the ileal mucosa. Type II is related to alterations in permeability in what is known as irritable bowel syndrome with a predominance of diarrhoea. Type III is related to other alterations of the digestive tract such as celiac disease, pancreatic insufficiency, cholecystectomy or bacterial overgrowth. Type IV is related to drugs that produce MAB as a side effect. There is a test for the detection of MAB with high sensitivity and specificity, non-invasive and with few associated complications, which is the 75Selenium and tauroselcholic acid scintigraphy (75SeHCAT®).