Clinical Presentation

A 43-year-old woman with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting cannot keep solid food down but can drink liquids. She is hospitalized because of dehydration and general deterioration.

Fig. 144.1

Technique

• ^99mTc-sulfur colloid (0.5 mCi) is mixed with 500 mL of water.

• The gamma camera is placed anteriorly.

• One-minute frames are acquired continuously for 30 minutes.

Fig. 144.2

• A region-of-interest is drawn around the stomach.

• A time–activity curve is generated.

• The half-time (t_1/2) of emptying is determined.

Image Interpretation