What is a SITZMARKS® Study?

SITZMARKS® is Used by Blair Gastroenterology Associates to Diagnose Many Gastrointestinal (GI) Conditions, such As:

  • Bowel Obstruction
  • Colonic Inertia
  • Constipation
  • Diverticular Disease
  • Functional Outlet Obstruction
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Hypomotility
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

What Does a SITZMARKS® Study Entail?

The SITZMARKS® is a gelatin capsule that you will swallow with a large glass of water. The capsule, which contains 24 radiopaque rings, will then pass naturally through the digestive tract, where it will dissolve and the rings will be released. The rings are then visible via an X-ray procedure, tracking their progress through your intestines.

Preparing for a SITZMARKS® Study

You will most likely be instructed to not use any laxatives, suppositories, or enemas for several days prior to this test. You will be scheduled for X-ray appointments as required after swallowing the capsule. The number of rings that are present in your digestive tract after each X-ray will be counted. This is not a harmful test, and the ingredients in the capsule are expelled naturally. After several days, you will be scheduled to for another X-ray to see if all the markers have been expelled or if there are any still left in your colon. However, any markers that remain in your body will tell us how fast food is moving through your intestines, and what kind of treatment, if any, will be needed.