Chapter 125 The various methods available to investigate gastric emptying have been reviewed in detail (Wyse et al, 2003). They aim at evaluating the gastric emptying or intestinal transit time of solid food and include radionuclide scintigraphy, radiographic contrast studies (barium meals and barium impregnated polyethylene spheres, or BIPS), and abdominal ultrasound. Gastric emptying also can be measured using indirect techniques relying on duodenal absorption of compounds that subsequently can be detected in the breath (e.g., 13C-octanoid acid) or in the blood (e.g., acetaminophen). Recently, a wireless motility capsule (SmartPill) has been validated for use in dogs (Boillat et al, 2010) (Figure 125-1). Figure 125-1 Wireless motility capsule recording in a young healthy male mixbreed dog. The top line reflects the temperature (in degrees Celsius), the line below represents the pH, while the bottom line shows the pressure profile (in mm Hg). Time is shown on the X axis (in hours [h] and minutes [min]). The massive rise in pH at 6 h 42 min indicates exit of the capsule from the stomach. The slight decline in pH at 9 h 20 min indicates entry into the large bowel. Gastric emptying time was 6 h 38 min, small bowel transit time was 2 h 38 min, and large bowel transit time was 36 h 57 min.
Gastric and Intestinal Motility Disorders
Disorders of Gastric Emptying
Etiology
Diagnostic Approach
Evaluation of Gastrointestinal Motility
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Gastric and Intestinal Motility Disorders
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