Gastric emptying study: 

EXAM: SOLID-PHASE GASTRIC EMPTYING STUDY 

 

REASON FOR EXAM:     

 

Radiopharmaceutical: Tc-99m sulfur colloid 1.1 mCi administered orally 

 

TECHNIQUE: The patient has been fasting at least 6 hours prior to this study. 

 

The protocol used for this study is based on the Consensus Recommendations for Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy by the American Neuro gastroenterology and Motility Society and the Society of Nuclear Medicine.  

 

The radiopharmaceutical was added to 1/2 cup egg whites that were then cooked and served with two pieces of toasted white bread, 30 grams of jam and 4 ounces of water. The patient was able to take at least 75% of the meal without difficulty.  Images of the abdomen in the anterior and posterior projections were obtained at 10 minutes post ingestion of the meal and at 1 and 2 hours. 

 

The percent gastric retention at each time point was calculated based on the geometric mean of the counts in the stomach on the anterior and posterior projections corrected for decay of the radioactive label. 

 

FINDINGS: 

 

There is progressive emptying of gastric contents into the small bowel. 

 

The percent gastric retention: 

 

1 hour was    % (normal 30-90%) 

2 hours was    % (normal <60%) 

3 hours was    % (normal < 30%) 

4 hours was    % (normal < 10%) 

3-hour and 4-hour measurements were not obtained because the gastric retention was less than 10% at 2 hours (normal <10% by 4 hours) 

 

IMPRESSION:  

 

Normal gastric emptying of solid meal using the consensus standard protocol.