Published: March 2023. Next review: 2028.
Gastric emptying scintigraphy is the ‘gold standard’ measurement for assessing the rate of stomach emptying. It is the primary test for the diagnosis of abnormal gastric emptying.
This guide aims to standardise the technique used for gastric emptying scintigraphy; optimise clinical practice; and reduce clinical variation across nuclear medicine departments in NSW.
It provides recommendations on the following key aspects of gastric emptying studies:
- Referral indications and contraindications
- Radiopharmaceuticals and dosimetry
- Standardisation of meals
- Patient preparation
- Imaging protocols
- Acquisition protocols and reference levels
- Minimum reporting requirements.
Download the Gastric emptying scintigraphy: clinical practice guide (PDF 540.1 KB)
Additional resources
The following templates are provided for use at sites without such tools. These should be scanned into the local Radiology Information System (RIS) and Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS).