Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy: Beyond Numbers – An Observational Study to Differentiate between Various Etiologies and a Step toward Personalized Management

AIM: Gastric emptying (GE) scintigraphy is commonly used as a standard diagnostic procedure for the assessment of functional dyspepsia (FD). Results of the study are often reported as either normal or delayed GE times. The aim of this study was to recognize various patterns of scintigraphy among both normal and abnormal emptying times. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with suspected FD were included in the study. GE study was performed with a standardized vegetarian solid meal. RESULTS: Out of 50 patients, 33 patients had deranged GE. Thirty patients had delayed GE. Three patients demonstrated gastric hurrying. Five different patterns were demonstrated in patients having similar emptying and retention times such as reduced fundus compliance, decreased fundic accommodation, antral dysmotility, gastric hurrying, and gastroesophageal reflux. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, it may be suggested that visual assessment of GE and identification of various pattern is a very important aspect of the GE study. It not only subcategorized patients but also decreases the number of “normal” studies. This finding may have an impact on patient management in the era of personalized medicine.