Gastric emptying scans are a nuclear medicine test that can provide information on your stomach’s ability to empty. They can be used to diagnose gastric reflux, suspected gastroparesis, and complications after gastric surgery. If you’re thinking about getting one of these tests, here’s what you should know.
Radiology Associates of Ocala offers gastric emptying scans
Gastric emptying scans are done with the use of a special technique called magnetic resonance enterography (MRI). This minimally invasive test produces detailed images of the intestines and is used to diagnose and monitor conditions of the small intestine, including Crohn’s disease, inflammation, and abscesses. The results of a gastric emptying scan can help physicians determine a proper treatment plan for your condition. There are three convenient locations where MRIs are available.
A gastric emptying scan is an important diagnostic test that measures how fast your stomach empties. Having a delayed emptying process can cause unpleasant symptoms, including abdominal pain, chest pain, gas, and bloating. It can also result in a disease called gastroparesis, which affects your ability to absorb food.
Procedure
Gastric emptying tests are done to determine how well the food in your stomach has been broken down and moved throughout your digestive tract. Before undergoing a gastric emptying test, you should not have eaten anything in the last 48 hours. You can also take any medications you’re taking, but make sure to take them a few hours before the exam. It’s also best not to give your child any type of liquid for at least two hours before the test.
To undergo a gastric emptying test, you’ll lie flat on a table while a special camera takes pictures of your abdomen. These images are taken at different intervals to evaluate how quickly and how far your food has moved through your stomach. The test isn’t painful, and you’ll be able to go home a few hours afterward.
Gastric emptying scintigraphy is an important diagnostic test for diagnosing gastric motility disorders. The results of this test may be used to enhance patient care. The imaging technique used for gastric emptying scintigraphy is noninvasive and uses physiologic principles.
Side effects
Gastric emptying tests are very safe, with only a small number of possible side effects. However, some medications should be discontinued at least two days before the test. These include antispasmodics and prokinetic drugs. Patients should also avoid taking laxatives the day before the test.
Patients should avoid eating after midnight the night before the test. They may continue to take their regular medications, such as blood pressure medication. They may also have small amounts of juice or water about two hours before the study. They should also avoid caffeine and tea. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should notify their physician in advance.
One of the side effects of gastric emptying tests is the feeling of nausea and vomiting. Fortunately, most patients recover completely. This is the result of a series of tests conducted by trained healthcare providers. This procedure involves swallowing a barium-based liquid, which coats the upper GI tract and enables the radiologist to examine the gastrointestinal tract. It helps rule out any mechanical causes of delayed gastric emptying, such as malrotation or a gastric outlet obstruction. This test will also show whether a small bowel obstruction is preventing the proper movement of the stomach.
Cost
Gastric emptying tests are performed to determine whether a person has GERD. They require patients to be fasting for at least 12 hours prior to the test. Additionally, they may need to stop using certain medications prior to the test. This is especially important for people who are on medication that affects the processing of food in the stomach. Also, patients who take insulin may need special instructions before the test.
Gastric emptying tests are a good way to diagnose a digestive disorder. The procedure involves eating a barium-containing meal. This helps the organs in the stomach appear better on the imaging scan. The test will be performed under the supervision of a physician, who will interpret the images.
The procedure isn’t painful or uncomfortable. Patients lie on a table while a special camera takes pictures of their abdomen at different intervals. This allows the doctor to determine the amount of food that moves out of the stomach and how quickly it moves through the digestive system. The procedure typically takes four to five hours.
