Luke Ienari Sonoda MBBCh, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Mohamed Halim MRCP, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Stephen Middleton MRCP, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kottekkattu K. Balan, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate the incidence of idiopathic rapid gastric emptying (IRGE) during routine gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES).

The results of a 2.5 h solid GES using a standardized scintigraphic technique were reviewed in 642 patients to see which patients met criteria for rapid gastric emptying, defined as >50% emptying of isotope-labelled solid meal in <70 minutes. When rapid gastric emptying occurred without an obvious cause or abnormal serum biochemistry, it was considered idiopathic.

Of total 642 patients, 70 (11%) had clinical suspicion of rapid GE. 182/642 patients (28%) had rapid GES, of which144 (79%) were considered idiopathic. There were 97 (53.2 %) males and 85 (46.7%) females whose mean (SD) HET were 43 (15.3) and 41(15.8) respectively. The pre-dominant symptoms were abdominal pain (29.6%), classical dumping symptoms (28.1%), vomiting (21.5%), bloating (17.8%), and diarrhoea (2.9%). Of 70 patients with clinical suspicion of rapid GE, 54 (77%) showed rapid and 5 (7%) delayed GE giving 77% positive predictive value for the test.

The majority of patients with rapid GE confirmed by GES studies were idiopathic. IRGE was equally common among males and females. However, only a minority of these patients presented with classical symptoms of dumping syndrome.

Idiopathic rapid gastric emptying is a common finding during gastric emptying scintigraphy in patients with no classical dumping syndrome.

Sonoda, L, Halim, M, Middleton, S, Balan, K, How Common Is Idiopathic Rapid Gastric Emptying on Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy?.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9002085.html