Saturday, May 24, 2008

Acupuncture In Combination With X-Ray Examination For Diagnosis Of Gastro-Intestinal Diseases

Department of Radiology and Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Yangpu District Central Hospital, Shanghai

Since 1959, using X-ray examination to observe the effect of acupuncture on the motility of appendix, stomach and small intestine in 100, 120 and 10 normal adults respectively, we have found that acupuncture of "Lanwei (appendical) points" is able to increase the motility of appendix; acupuncture of "Zusanli points" is able to regulate the function of stomach, that is, when the peristalsis is too weak, acupuncture is able to increase it, on the other hand, when the peristalsis is too strong, acupuncture is able to reduce it, spasm can be relieved; acupuncture of "Xiaochang (small intestinal) points" (the midpoints between appendical points and "Zusanli points") is able to increase the motility of small intestine.


On the basis of the above effect, this study is undertaken to use acupuncture in X-ray diagnosis for chronic appendicitis, schirrous infiltrated type of antral carcinoma of stomach and intestinal adhesions.

A comparison is made in radiograms before and after acupuncture of "Lanwei points" in patients suffering with chronic appendicitis, thus, a new criterion for roentgen diagnosis is obtained. They are as follows:

(1) no appreciable change in the curvature of appendix;


(2) no appreciable change in the size of lumen;

(3) no appreciable change of the irregular filling;

(4) no change in kinking if any;

(5) the existence of a tender point directly over the appendix and

(6) delayed emptying time.

The results obtained confirm our assumption that when the roentgen findings are compared with operative and pathological findings (anatomical diagnosis), the correctness of roentgen diagnosis is increased from 84.7% in routine examination to 100% in acupuncture; when the roentgen diagnosis is checked with the end result following appendectomy (therapeutic result), the accuracy of roentgen diagnosis is increased from 61.1% in routine method (an analysis of 155 cases) to 91.7% in acupuncture (an analysis of 60 cases).


Similarly, a comparison is made in radiograms before and after acupuncture of "Zusanli points" in patients with narrow lumen of gastric antrum. New criteria for roentgen diagnosis of schirrous infiltrated type of antral carcinoma are:

(1) no appreciable change in the size of the narrowed, contracted and rigid lumen;

(2) no appreciable change of peristalsis or aperistaltic and

(3) no appreciable change of the irregular disorderes and stopped mucosal relief pattern.


The results obtained are quite encouraging that the correctness of X-ray diagnosis as compared with operative and pathological findings is increased from 80.4% in routine examination as a series of radiograms (an analysis of 46 cases) to 90.7% in acupuncture (an analysis of 54 cases).

For diagnosis of comparatively early cases of intestinal adhesions, acupuncture of "Xiaochang points" affords new criteria in X-ray films. They are: one part of loops and/or one loop of small intestine with abnormal contour have no appreciable change in arrangement following acupuncture, while the rest of small intestine have movement (an analysis of 42 cases).


In the authors' opinion, radiology in combination with acupuncture affords a reliable and applicable method which proves of value in roentgen diagnosis for chronic appendicitis, schirrous infiltrated type of antral carcinoma of stomach and intestinal adhesions. This study may stimulate others to extend and improve on this work, we feel that they are worth reporting.

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