Gastric emptying scan

Gastric emptying scan is a medical diagnostic test used to evaluate the process of gastric emptying in the stomach. This test is often used to diagnose conditions such as gastroparesis, GERD, and other gastrointestinal disorders.

Procedure

The gastric emptying scan procedure involves the patient consuming a meal that contains a small amount of a radioactive substance. This substance can be detected by a gamma camera, which is used to take images of the stomach and monitor the rate at which the meal leaves the stomach.

The patient is typically asked to fast for at least 12 hours before the test. The meal consumed during the test is usually a solid food, such as scrambled eggs, that has been mixed with the radioactive substance. The patient then lies on a table and the gamma camera takes images of the stomach at regular intervals, usually every 15 minutes to 1 hour, for up to 4 hours.

Interpretation

The images taken during the gastric emptying scan are used to calculate the rate of gastric emptying. This is typically expressed as a percentage of the meal that has left the stomach at various time points. A slower than normal rate of gastric emptying may indicate a condition such as gastroparesis, while a faster than normal rate may suggest other conditions such as dumping syndrome.

Risks and Complications

The risks associated with a gastric emptying scan are minimal. The amount of radiation exposure is low and similar to that of other diagnostic imaging tests. However, as with any procedure involving radiation, there is a small risk of developing cancer later in life. Pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding should avoid this test due to the potential risk to the fetus or infant.

See Also

• Gastrointestinal tract
• Gastroenterology
• Nuclear medicine