Gastric emptying study Patient information leaflet (332kB pdf)
Introduction
We hope this guide will answer your questions about your gastric emptying study. Please contact the team if you require further information via the details at the end of this leaflet.
What is a gastric emptying study?
A gastric emptying scan is a test that can determine how fast the stomach empties. We run this test by mixing a small amount of radioactivity with porridge.
Why do I need a gastric emptying study?
You are having this examination as it will help your doctor to decide on the cause of your symptoms. This procedure will give clearer information to the clinicians treating you.
What are the associated risks?
The amount of radioactive tracer (a radioactive solution often known as radiotracer or radioactive isotope) used to take the pictures is very small and the radioactivity is short lived. The risk is outweighed by the benefit from the information that is gained by taking the scan. A doctor will have checked the request to make sure this is the optimal test before we contact you. This procedure involves receiving a dose of a radioactive tracer, this does not have any known side effects and does not make you feel drowsy.
Preparing for your procedure
We will call you before your appointment to check your current medication, food allergies and medical history. We will let you know if you need to stop taking any medications that may interfere with the test. Prescribed medication specifically for stomach problems and pain relief may have to be stopped 2 days prior to the test.
These include:
- Metoclopramide (Maxolon) or Domperidone (Motilium)
- Codeine Phosphate or Dihydro Codeine Tartrate (DF118) or Tramadol
- Dicycloverine (Merbentyl) or Hyoscine Butyl Bromide (Buscopan) or Propantheline Bromide (Pro-Banthine) or Peppermint Oil.
Please contact the department if you have any questions regarding prescribed abdominal medication that you may be taking.
You will need to stop eating and drinking eight hours before your scan.
We usually book the scan early in the morning for you so you can start eating after the test. If you are a smoker please refrain from smoking on the day of this test. Please ensure you do not have anything to eat or drink from midnight the night before this procedure. Failure to do so will lead to cancellation on the day.
Pregnancy
PREGNANCY: If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding, please tell the radiographer before your appointment date, as we may need to postpone the scan or give special instructions with regard to breastfeeding.
Getting to us
The Princess Alexandra Hospital (Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1QX), follow the signage to the radiology reception, which is located on the ground floor, green zone. Please let the receptionists know that you have arrived for your appointment.
When should I arrive?
Please arrive in the radiology department at the time arranged with the nuclear medicine department when booking your appointment. You may receive an appointment letter in the post and this may be followed up with a text confirmation.
Can someone stay with me in the hospital?
You are able to have a friend or relative attend with you, as long as they are not young children or pregnant; however, due to ionising radiation regulations, only patients are allowed in the scanning room. (If the child is the patient then obviously parents may accompany them for their scan).
Children are not allowed in the waiting area unattended. Our staff are not permitted to supervise children, so please ensure child care arrangements are in place to avoid your tests being rescheduled.
The day of your procedure
A member of the nuclear medicine team will collect you from the waiting area and bring you into our preparation room, where they will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have.
The procedure
We will prepare your porridge and add the tracer to it. We will ask you to eat the food over a period of up to ten minutes. Gloves and a disposable apron will be provided to you to protect your clothing. You will be asked to empty your pockets and remove any metal objects like mobile phones, jewellery, keys, coins, belts and braces before your scan. We will then ask you to stand between two scanners in the imaging room and a series of 1 minute pictures are taken at regular intervals. The whole procedure will take up to 90 minutes to complete.
After the procedure
You can eat, drink as normal and go where you wish. Please avoid close contact with children and pregnant women for the rest of the day. Close contact means having a child sit next to you for more than half an hour. This is to avoid exposing children to unnecessary radiation. Please continue drinking more than usual to help clear the radiation from your body.
Can I drive after my procedure?
You are able to drive as soon as you are discharged from the department.
How soon can I return to work?
It is advisable to return to work the following day after your scan. However, if you wish to discuss this further, please contact the department using the telephone number at the end of this leaflet.
When will I get my results?
You will not know the results of your examination immediately. The radiologist will report their findings to the clinician who arranged your procedure, who will discuss the results with you. It usually takes a couple of weeks for the results to become available.
Contacting the team
If you have any further questions, please contact the nuclear medicine team on:
- 01279 827120, from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.
There is an answerphone available outside of these hours. Please leave a message and a member of the team will contact you.
Your feedback matters
- If you would like to give feedback on your care, please contact our patient experience team at [email protected] or 01279 827211
- Please contact the communications team at [email protected] if you would like this leaflet in another language or format.