Anterior planar images from a solid-phase (scrambled eggs and toast) Tc99m SCOL gastric emptying study reveal a prolonged lag phase (arrow) and delayed tracer movement into the small bowel. The half-emptying time is > 120 minutes, and only 36% emptying is seen at 125 minutes.

Differential Diagnosis

Delayed transit of radiotracer into the small bowel has numerous causes, which cannot be differentiated by scintigraphy.

•  Delayed gastric emptying: For a solid-phase meal, the half-emptying time is typically used as a measure to differentiate normal form abnormal. This time is highly variable and differs based on the various meals offered at different institutions.

•  Causes of delayed gastric emptying are numerous: Some causes include diabetic gastroparesis, peptic ulcer disease, medications, prior surgery, obstruction, and hypothyroidism.