Gastric Emptying Scan: About This Test

What is it?

A gastric emptying scan is a test that shows how quickly food leaves your stomach.

This type of test is called a nuclear scanning test. A radioactive tracer is added to a solid meal that you eat. This tracer shows up on pictures taken by an external camera. That allows your doctor to see food in your stomach and to watch as it leaves the stomach.

Why is it done?

A gastric emptying scan is done to see if food moves through the stomach as it should and at the right speed. It can be used to see if a digestive problem like gastroparesis is causing the stomach to retain food.

How do you prepare for the test?

To prepare for this test:

• Talk to your doctor about all your allergies, health problems, and medicines before the scan. Your doctor will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines near the time of your scan.
• Tell your doctor if you are or might be pregnant.
• Follow your doctor's instructions about not eating for a few hours before the scan.
• Don't smoke for about 24 hours before the test.

How is the test done?

• You will need to remove any jewelry near the site of the scan.
• You may need to take off your clothes and wear a cloth or paper gown.
• You will be given a quick meal, such as scrambled eggs. The food contains a small amount of the tracer. The scan will start as soon as you've eaten.
• A large scanning camera will be placed just above your belly. When the scan starts, the camera will take a series of pictures of your stomach. The pictures will show the tracer moving through your stomach.
• You may be asked to stand up, lie down, or do both for the needed camera shots.
• The camera will take pictures at certain times over a few hours.
• You will be able to get up and move around in the breaks between camera sessions.

How long does the test take?

The test may take about 3 to 4 hours.

How does the test feel?

The scan doesn't cause any pain. It doesn't feel any different from eating a normal meal.

What happens after the test?

• After the camera is done taking pictures, you will probably be able to leave the testing area right away.
• Drink lots of water and urinate often after your scan. This helps your body flush out the tracer.
• You should learn the results from your test within a few days.
• Anytime you're exposed to radiation, there's a small chance of damage to cells or tissue. That's the case even with the low-level radioactive tracer used for this test. But the chance of damage is very low compared with the benefits of the test.
• Most of the tracer will leave your body through your urine or stool within a day. So be sure to flush the toilet right after you use it, and wash your hands well with soap and water. The amount of radiation in the tracer is very small. This means it isn't a risk for people to be around you after the test.

What are the risks?

Anytime you're exposed to radiation, there's a small chance of damage to cells or tissue. That's the case even with the low-level radioactive tracer used for this test. But the chance of damage is very low compared with the benefits of the test.

The camera doesn't produce any radiation. That means you aren't exposed to any more radiation while the scan is being done.

Most of the tracer will leave your body through your urine or stool within a day. So be sure to flush the toilet right after you use it, and wash your hands well with soap and water. The amount of radiation in the tracer is very small. This means it isn't a risk for people to be around you after the test.