Gastroparesis Tests

Gastroparesis diagnosis tests

• Upper Endoscopy usually requires 10-15 minutes to complete. Upper endoscopy is performed after giving sedative medicine administered intravenously immediately before the test to make the patient drowsy. Then doctor slowly inserting a thin flexible tube through the mouth into your stomach. End of this flexible tube has a camera which allows the upper gastrointestinal tract to be evaluated for ulcers, inflammation, cancers, hernias or other abnormalities. These are the conditions that can cause symptoms similar to gastroparesis.
• Ultrasound test is performed to view the shape of gallbladder & pancreas to rule out any gallbladder disease and pancreatitis as sources of the problem.
• Barium x ray after 12 hours of fasting and drinking thick liquid called barium, which coats the stomach, making it visible on the x ray. If diabetic, doctor may give special instructions for safe fasting. Normally, the stomach should be empty of all food after 12 hours of fasting, if x ray shows presence of food then there is more chance for gastroparesis.

Gastric emptying tests

• Gastric emptying scintigraphy test involves eating eggs or egg substitute that contains a small amount of a radioactive substance, called radioisotope that shows up on scans. The scan measures the rate of gastric emptying at 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours. When more than 10 percent of the meal is still in the stomach at 4 hours, gastroparesis is confirmed.
• Gastroduodenal manometry is performed by inserting a pressure sensitive plastic tube through the throat and into the stomach and small intestine. This pressure sensitive tube is connected to a computer that measures the strength, frequency and coordination of muscle contractions before and after having food. Gastroduodenal manometry can distinguish among different motility disorders.
• Electrogastrogram monitors and records the electrical signals of the stomach before and after eating. This electrical signals control the muscle contractions in the stomach. In a normal stomach, the electrical rhythm is regular and increases after a food. But in case of gastroparesis, the rhythm is irregular and do not increases or nonexistent after eating.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique uses a powerful magnet waves to view cross-sectional images of the body. MRI is used to diagnose a broad range of conditions, including various cancers. Researchers are studying the use of real-time MRI to help diagnose stomach motility. Unlike other gastroparesis tests, MRI is not invasive and does not expose to the radiation.
• SmartPill - It is a small device in capsule form that can be swallowed, approved by the U.S. FDA. The device then moves through the digestive tract and collects information about its progress that is sent to a receiver worn around your waist or neck. When the capsule leaves the body with the stool in a couple of days, you take the receiver back to the doctor, who enters the information into a computer.

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