The time it takes for intestinal contents to pass through the colon can also be determined. This test (Hinton test) can provide valuable information, especially in patients with chronic constipation and defecation disorders. The advantage of this test is that it is simple to perform and causes relatively little discomfort. The patient must swallow 2 gelatin capsules at the same time each day for 6 days. They contain harmless, indigestible plastic globules, which are detected in an X-ray image on the 7th day.
The number and distribution of these markers, which have not yet been excreted, allow conclusions to be drawn about passage time and existing obstructions. For specific suspected diagnoses such as bile acidosis syndrome, vitamin B12 deficiency, or pancreatic dysfunction, other special tests exist (e.g., Schilling test, 75SeHCAt test, pancreolauryl test).
