Normal Liquid Gastric Emptying (Prepared by Dr Isabel Berrocal)

            Normal gastric emptying study for Liquid with Tc99m-Sulfur Colloid in water administered in a bolus to a 24 years old male of, for pre-operative anti-reflux surgery. Initially, the activity is observed in the stomach at min 1 (upper arrow left). Later on, it flows progressively to the bowel, emptying almost completely at 60 min (lower arrow right). The exponential curve describes the  initial stomach radiotracer and subsequent emptying with a quick start and later a slow phase in about 20 minutes. Mean half-time 15 min. Retention:
At 15 minutes  39%  (VN: 38 - 85%); At 30 minutes  25%  (VN: 6.3 -76.3%); At 60 minutes    6%  (VN: 0 - 62%).
            Gastrointestinal scintigraphy is an integral and important component of the assessment of gastrointestinal function. Gastric emptying scintigraphy is established in clinical practice and may be considered the "gold standard" to assess gastric emptying. Liquid studies are routinely performed in addition to solid studies to fully evaluate gastric motility.
 

References:

1.-  Stacher G, Bergmann H. Scintigraphic quantitation of gastrointestinal motor activity and transport: oesophagus and stomach. European Journal Nuclear Medicine. 1992;19(9):815-23.
2.-   Maurer A. et al. Update on gastrointestinal scintigraphy. Semin Nucl Med. 2006 Apr;36(2):110-8.
3.-   Estudios gammagráficos de la motilidad gastroesofágica e intestinal. Revista Española de Medicina Nuclear. Rev. Esp. Med.Nuclear, 17, 4 (312-322), 1998.
 

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