Change in Management After Radionuclide Gastric Emptying Studies Showing Slow Emptying.

The radionuclide gastric emptying study is the gold standard for the diagnosis of gastroparesis. We performed a retrospective analysis of 510 patients to evaluate how often a diagnosis of slow gastric emptying determined by gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) changes clinical management at our institution. We found evidence of gastroparesis in 100 patients. A change in management was recommended for 62% within 1 mo of the GES. Our results illustrate the importance of performing GES on patients with clinically suspected gastroparesis.