Imaging Procedures - Patient Information
 


Gastric Emptying Exam

Why would my physician order this procedure

To help your physician evaluate if there are any problems with how your stomach empties food (gastric motor functions).

Exam preparation
 

Since this is a functional test, your cooperation with the preparation is very important.

  Do not take anything by mouth for 4 hours prior to your appointment.
  Do not take metociopramide (Reglan or Zelnorm) for 24 hours before your appointment.
  Do not smoke or chew gum 4 hours before your appointment.
  You will be given a “controlled meal” of either tuna with mayonnaise or egg with mayonnaise; whole milk and canned peaches.  This is a set menu, no substitutions.  Notify the appointment desk (503.561.5293) if you have a food allergy to any of the above food items.
  To perform this exam, we must give you a small amount of radioactive materials.  Tell your doctor if you might be pregnant, if you are pregnant, or if you are a nursing mother.

What to expect

A technologist will explain the entire process to you prior to starting the exam.  He/she will also ask you some health history questions, which will help our radiologist interpret your exam.

You will be given a controlled meal (as explained above) to eat in 10 minutes or less.  We will start taking images immediately upon completion of your meal.  The images are taken with you standing in front of a camera every 10 minutes for about 1-2 minutes at a time. 

If you have any technical questions specific to this procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask the technologist during the exam.  All clinical questions should be directed to your physician.

How long will it take

You will be in our department for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. 

Since you will have time between images, you can bring a book or a handcraft if you wish.

Possible complications or side effects

No complications are expected from this procedure.

Radiation risk statement

Studies of the health effects of radiation have shown that high doses of radiation can cause cancer.  However, this hospital procedure requires that we inject you with a very low level of radioactive material. 

The risk from lower doses of radiation, such as you will receive during this exam, is uncertain.  Most scientists believe that the risk is very small.  Certainly, the benefits received from the exam far outweigh the small risk associated with this procedure