What is a Gastric Emptying Study and what does it do?
- Assists in the determination of delayed gastric emptying with quantitation of gastric emptying rate and evaluation of mechanical obstruction.
- Evaluates anatomic obstruction (pyloric, post surgical, post radiotherapy),nausea, vomiting, early satiety, upper abdominal discomfort, bloating, gastroesophageal reflux and/or chronic aspiration.
- Evaluation of weight loss, and of gastric therapy, e.g., Reglan®.
Who performs the test?
This procedure will be performed by a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. The Nuclear Technologist is certified by the NMTCB (Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board), and/or the ARRT (The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists). All of the Nuclear Medicine Technologists at Jackson Hospital are licensed in the state of Florida.
Where does it take place?
This procedure will be performed in the Nuclear Medicine Department at Jackson Hospital. This is located in Radiology at the main hospital.
How long does it take?
The total time of the exam is 2 hours.
What can I do to make it a success?
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Remove any metallic objects before your scan.
- Do not have anything to eat or drink 6 hours before your exam.
- Bring a copy of your physicians order with you to your appointment.
- Consult your physician for a list of medications to stop taking before your exam.
What should I do before the exam?
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Remove any metallic objects before your scan.
- Do not have anything to eat or drink 6 hours before your exam.
- Bring a copy of your physicians order with you to your appointment.
- Consult your physician for a list of medications to stop taking before your exam.
What happens during the exam?
- You will be asked to empty your pockets and remove any metallic objects from your person.
- The Nuclear Medicine department will prepare 2 scrambled eggs for you to eat. These eggs will be mixed with a radioisotope which has no taste or smell. (If you cannot eat eggs please notify the technologist so a substitute can be arranged).
- After you eat the eggs, you will then lie on the imaging table, and there will be a detector that scans your stomach to determine the rate at which your stomach is emptying.
What should I do after the exam?
Your images will be processed after your scan. They will then be submitted to the Radiologist for review and interpretation. The results will be forwarded to the ordering physician when transcription is complete.
Contact Information:
Hospital (main operator): (850) 526-2200
Nuclear Medicine Department (at hospital): (850) 718-2584
Radiology Department (at hospital): (850) 718-2580
4250 Hospital Drive • Marianna, Florida 32446-1917 • 850-526-2200