Ahmed Shafik

Department of Surgery and Experimental Research, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Received 7/22/98 Accepted 8/20/98

1. ABSTRACT

The current study investigates the electrosigmoidographic (ESG) patterns in 50 patients with sigmoid colon pathologies and 10 healthy controls. Three electrodes were applied to the skin of the lower abdomen and the reference electrode was placed on the lower limb. Ulcerative colitis patients showed a "tachyarrhythmic" ESG; the PPs had a higher frequency with a lower amplitude and velocity than the normal controls. The sigmoid diverticulitis exhibited a "bradyarrhythmic" pattern; the PP variables were lower than normal. The PPs in sigmoid polyposis were "scarce" and were recorded only occasionally. In sigmoid colon cancer, the electric waves were normal proximal to the tumor and absent opposite and distal to it; a "silent" ESG was recorded in sigmoidectomy patients. Various ESG patterns were recordable in the different pathologic conditions of the sigmoid colon. It is thus suggested that percutaneous ESG can be included as an investigative tool in the diagnosis of sigmoid colon pathologies. The method is simple, easy, non-invasive and non-radiologic.