Gastric Emptying Study (cont.)
How are the results of a gastric emptying study evaluated?
In patients with gastroparesis, the food and the attached radioactive
material remain in the stomach longer than normal (usually hours) before
emptying into the small intestine. As a result, the scanner continues to show
radioactivity in the area of the stomach for hours after the test meal. If
abnormally slow emptying is demonstrated, medications such as metoclopramide
(Reglan) may be given to speed up the emptying and improve symptoms. If
abnormally rapid emptying of the stomach is found, medications may be given to
slow down emptying.
Are there any side effects of a gastric emptying study?
There are no side effects from a gastric emptying study.
The radioactive material is not absorbed into the body and is eliminated in the
stool. Nevertheless, gastric emptying studies-as well as any other studies that
utilize radioactive materials--should not be performed in pregnant women because
the fetus is exposed to some radioactivity.
Are there other tests that can be performed instead of a gastric
emptying study?
An upper GI series x-ray demonstrates abnormal emptying of barium in patients
with severe emptying problems, however, it cannot diagnose abnormal emptying of
a mild or moderate degree. An antro-duodenal motility study or an
electrogastrogram can demonstrate abnormalities in the muscles and nerves of the
stomach, but they do not directly evaluate the effects of these abnormalities on
emptying of the stomach. Other experimental methods for evaluating emptying of
the stomach have been described, for example, ultrasonography, breath tests
using fatty acids, and
single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT)
but are available in very few centers.
Last Editorial Review: 9/30/2005
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