Gastric Emptying Study

What is a Gastric Emptying Study?

A gastric emptying study is performed to evaluate how the stomach is processing food.

What should I do to prepare for the exam?

Do not eat any food after midnight on the day of exam. Water is okay. This test should be done in the morning.

 

What will happen during a Gastric Emptying Study and how will I get my results?

The patient will eat a cup of oatmeal that contains a small amount of radioactive tracer. There are several different flavors of oatmeal from which to choose. If you are gluten free, or have a specific cereal that you eat, please contact us before the study so we can discuss what food to use. After eating the oatmeal and swallowing some water, the patient lies on a table and the camera is placed over the abdomen. Images are taken for sixty minutes.

The physician who interprets the scan will send a report to your physician, who will then share the results with you.

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