Maria Antonietta Pelli

Publications (5)11.47 Total impact

• Article: Contractile Frequency Patterns of the Human Colon

  Gabrio Bassotti, Giampaolo Bucaneve, Maria Antonietta Pelli, Antonio Morelli
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  ABSTRACT: Unlike myoelectrical frequency patterns, the regular contractile activity of the human colon in vivo is poorly understood, especially with regard to the proximal portions of the viscus. For this reason, we looked for contractile patterns (defined as a regular sequence of waves occurring consecutively for at least 2 minutes, at various frequencies) in prolonged (24-hour) manometric recordings obtained in 20 healthy volunteers of both sexes. Manometric investigations were done by means of a colonoscopically positioned multilumen poly-vinylcloride (PVC) probe and low-compliance infusion system. Systematic analysis of the tracings showed that regular contractile activity is scarce in the human colon, in that it accounts for only about 6% of total contractile activity; contractile patterns vary in frequency from two to eight cycles per minute, with three cycles per minute (which represents 80% of regular activity) predominating; regular contractile activity is chiefly encountered in the distal (descending and sigmoid) colon, where it represents about 50% of motility; and unlike the human upper gut and anorectal area, and the dog colon, the regular activity of the human colon is not organized in a cyclic fashion.
  Neurogastroenterology and Motility 06/2008; 2(1):73 - 78. · 3.41 Impact Factor
• Article: Anorectal manometric abnormalities and colonic propulsive impairment in patients with severe chronic idiopathic constipation

  Gabrio Bassotti, Giuseppe Chiarioni, Italo Vantini, Cesare Betti, Carla Fusaro, Maria Antonietta Pelli, Antonio Morelli
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  ABSTRACT: Idiopathic chronic constipation is a frequent and disabling symptom, but its pathophysiological grounds are still poorly understood. In particular, there is little knowledge about the relationships between distal (anorectal area) and proximal (colonic area) motor abnormalities in this condition, especially concerning high-amplitude propagated colonic activity. For this purpose, we studied 25 patients complaining of severe idiopathic constipation and categorized them as normal- or slow-transit constipation according to colonic transit time. Twenty-five age-matched controls were also studied. Investigations included standard anorectal motility testing and prolonged (24-hr) colonic motility studies. Analysis of results showed that both groups of constipated patients displayed significantly different (PPPP
  Digestive Diseases and Sciences 01/1994; 39(7):1558-1564. · 2.12 Impact Factor
• Article: Esophageal motor disorders in patients evaluated for dysphagia and/or noncardiac chest pain

  Gabrio Bassotti, Maria Antonietta Pelli, Antonio Morelli
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  ABSTRACT: During the period January, 1983–October, 1990, 429 subjects were referred for functional evaluation of dysphagia and/or noncardiac chest pain. Of these, 304 (70.8%) were shown to have some kind of esophageal motor abnormality. The most frequent motor abnormality of the esophagus was represented by nonspecific motor disorders (31%), followed by achalasia (13%), whereas the other dysfunctions accounted for a smaller percentage. In particular, diffuse esophageal spasm was shown to be quite rare. It is concluded that esophageal manometry may provide a high diagnostic yield in patients presenting with dysphagia and/or noncardiac chest pain.
  Dysphagia 04/1992; 7(1):3-7. · 1.39 Impact Factor
• Article: Intestinal Pseudoobstruction Secondary to Hypothyroidism. Importance of Small Bowell Manometry

  Gabrio Bassotti, Maria Cristina Pagliacci, Ildo Nicoletti, Maria Antonietta Pelli, Antonio Morelli
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  ABSTRACT: Surgicalypothyroidism may lead to secondary pseudoobstruction. We report a patient with intestinal symptoms, from hypothyroidism in which previous conventional examinations were negative. Gastrointestinal manometry disclosed features of pseudoobstruction, and we discuss the importance of performing functional studies in selected cases, in as much as symptoms seemed to resolve on replacement therapy. (C) Lippincott-Raven Publishers.
  Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 12/1991; 14(1). · 3.16 Impact Factor
• Article: Manometric investigation of the entire esophagus in healthy subjects and patients with high-amplitude peristaltic contractions

  Gabrio Bassotti, Giuseppe Bacci, Dino Biagini, Piero David, Gianfranco Alunni, Maria Antonietta Pelli, Antonio Morelli
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  ABSTRACT: Normal esophageal motor parameters and nuteracker esophagus have never been well characterized in Italy. For this reason, we investigated 33 patients with nutcracker esophagus and compared them with 34 age- and sex-matched volunteers. Esophageal manometry revealed that lower esophageal sphincter pressure and contraction amplitude at 3, 8, 13, and 18 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter were significantly higher in patients (p<0.05). In addition, bi- and tripeaked waves were significantly increased in the patients at all esophageal recording levels. No significant differences were found between the 9 patients and 17 controls who were also evaluated for upper esophageal sphincter pressure.
  Dysphagia 05/1988; 3(2):93-96. · 1.39 Impact Factor