What happens during a gastric emptying test?
Gastric emptying tests are most often done by a radiologist or radiology technician. A radiologist is a doctor who specializes in using imaging tests to diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. There are different types of tests. You may have one or more of the following tests:
Gastric emptying study, also known as a gastric emptying scan, or gastric emptying scintigraphy. This is the most common test used to diagnose gastroparesis. During this test:
- You will start by eating a light meal, often eggs and toast. The food will contain a small, harmless amount of radioactive material called a tracer.
- After you finish eating, you will lie down on an x-ray table.
- The radiologist will take images of your abdomen, using a scanning device.
- The radiologist will watch the movements of the radioactive tracer on a monitor. The tracer will show how food travels through your stomach.
- Additional images will be taken over the next few hours to see how long it takes for food to move out of your stomach and into your gastrointestinal tract.
- You will be allowed to get up and leave the exam room during this time period. Your provider will let you know when you need to return for imaging. It’s usually at around 1, 2, and 4 hours after the first image was taken.
A gastric emptying study may also be done using a liquid that contains the radioactive tracer, instead of solid food.
Upper GI series, also known as a barium swallow. During this test:
- You will swallow a drink that contains barium. Barium is a substance that makes parts of your body show up more clearly on an x-ray.
- You will lie on an x-ray table.
- A special type of x-ray called a fluoroscopy will track the barium in real time as it moves through your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
- You may be asked to change positions while more images are taken.
Gastric emptying breath test. During this test:
- You will eat a meal or drink a liquid that contains a type of protein that your body absorbs. The substance eventually passes into your breath.
- A provider will collect samples of your breath over a period of about four hours.
- You may be able to leave the exam room during this time period but will need to sit quietly. You should not smoke or eat while you wait. Your provider will let you know when you need to return for imaging.
- The amount of the substance found in your breath samples can help show how fast the stomach has emptied.
Smart pill, also known as a wireless motility capsule. During this test:
- You will swallow a smart pill, which is a small electronic device.
- You will then proceed with your normal daily activities.
- As you go through your day, the smart pill will travel through your gastrointestinal system and collect data.
- The data is sent to a receiver that you wear, usually around your waist.
- After a day or two, the smart pill will leave your body in a bowel movement.
- You may not feel it when it exits your body. So when you have bowel movement, wait 3 minutes before flushing This will ensure the receiver captures the data, even after the capsule leaves your body.
- After 4 or 5 days, you will return the receiver to the radiologist who will review the results.
