Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42249243›Full record

ReviewDigestive diseases and sciences2026

Brief Review: Rethinking Colonic Redundancy in Gastroenterology.

Richard Kellermayer, Réka G Szigeti, Xiao Jing Wang, Robert J Shulman, Eamonn M M Quigley, Michael Camilleri

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Digestive diseases and sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Richard KellermayerDivision of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. kellerma@bcm.edu.
Réka G SzigetiDepartment of Pathology & Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX, USA.
Xiao Jing WangDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA.
Robert J ShulmanDivision of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
Eamonn M M QuigleyCharles W. Duncan Jr. Department of Medicine, Lynda K and David M Underwood Center for Digestive Health, Houston Methodist Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX, USA.
Michael CamilleriDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDolichocolon (DC), or colonic redundancy, is an elongated and tortuous colon described as early as 1820, yet it remains underrecognized in clinical gastroenterology. Advances in imaging and motility assessment offer new insights into its prevalence, mechanisms, and clinical implications.

aimsTo summarize current evidence on the anatomy, epidemiology, and potential clinical significance of DC and to explore possible pathophysiological mechanisms linking this variant to gastrointestinal disorders.

methodsA targeted literature review of studies published between 1900 and 2024 was conducted using PubMed and Scopus with search terms including dolichocolon, colonic redundancy, and redundant colon. Publications addressing anatomy, motility, symptom associations, and disease relevance were included.

resultsThough epidemiological data are limited, it has been estimated that DC affects 10-20% of the population and is associated with constipation, volvulus, and, possibly, inflammatory bowel disease. Proposed mechanisms include segmental stasis and ischemia in redundant loops, altered neuromuscular signaling, and increased mucosal surface area promoting immune-microbiota interactions. Despite its potential importance, DC is rarely noted in modern radiology reports, contributing to under-recognition in clinical practice.

conclusionsColonic redundancy represents a common anatomic variant with potentially overlooked clinical implications. Standardized radiologic characterization and prospective studies are needed to clarify its role in gastrointestinal disorders and to guide future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Indexed as

ColonColonic DiseasesGastrointestinal DiseasesGastroenterologyGastrointestinal MotilityHumansConstipationDGBIDisorders of the gut brain axisDolichocolonLarge intestine

Identifiers

PMID42249243
PMCPMC13558333

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.