Comparison of anterior and geometric mean liquid and solid gastric emptying rates in dogs and in patients after partial gastrectomy.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine if geometrical correction is necessary in the study of gastric emptying rate (GER) for liquids, using a low-energy radionuclide, such as 99mTc. Solid test meals were considered the reference.


METHODS
Both solid and liquid GERs were investigated using regional analysis. Anterior data were compared with geometrically corrected values in 15 dogs and 9 partial gastrectomy patients.


RESULTS
Anterior and geometrically corrected measurements differed significantly for solid food in the whole gastric region and in the antrum. Geometrically corrected values differed slightly from anterior data after partial gastrectomy. No difference was found for liquid food. Liquids redistributed much faster than solids within the stomach.


CONCLUSIONS
Measurement of GER using a single-phase liquid meal does not require geometrical correction. This is due to the rapid intragastric redistribution of the liquid. Geometrical correction for solid food can be omitted only after partial gastrectomy.
Mistiaen
W
W
Laboratory of Anatomy, University of Antwerp, Belgium. Mistiaen@ruca.ua.ac.be
Blockx
P
P
Van Hee
R
R
Bortier
H
H
Harrisson
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001628:Beverages; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000145:classification; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D013667:Technetium; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate; D013997:Time Factors; D014783:Viscosity
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013667:Technetium; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate