Non-Invasive MSOT and MRI to Measure Intestinal Transit Time in Children With Chronic Bowel Emptying Disorders

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to improve the diagnosis of chronic bowel emptying disorders in children aged 0 to 17 years. It focuses on evaluating a new, non-invasive method combining Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography MSOT with the oral contrast agent Indocyanine Green ICG and a radiation-free MRI technique to measure gastrointestinal transit time and assess intestinal peristalsis. The study addresses challenges in differentiating between slow transit constipation and outlet obstruction, conditions that affect bowel movement in children and often require targeted therapy. Participants are divided into two groups a control group of healthy adults and an intervention group of children with chronic defecation disorders such as idiopathic chronic constipation, slow transit constipation, or outlet obstruction. Both groups undergo MSOT combined with oral ICG to track gastrointestinal transit and MRI scans to observe bowel movement patterns. The study collects and standardizes data from these imaging methods over a one-week measurement period. During the study, participants will have their gastrointestinal transit time and peristalsis evaluated through imaging and clinical assessments. Researchers will monitor ICG signal intensity and MRI image quality, motion robustness, peristalsis frequency, and amplitude. Additional assessments include ultrasound imaging and symptom questionnaires extending up to one year. The project aims to optimize therapy by identifying intestinal segments with delayed transit and improving diagnostic accuracy without using radiation or invasive procedures.

MSOT and MRI for Non-invasive Assessment of Intestinal Transit Time in Children With Chronic Bowel Emptying Disorders