Nuclear Medicine Scan of Gastric - Scan Rapid Gastric Emptying Scan
This nuclear medicine imaging test uses a small, safe dose of radioactive tracer to measure how quickly food moves from your stomach into your small intestine, with no contrast dye required and no claustrophobia risk as no enclosed scanning equipment is used. It is specifically designed to diagnose rapid gastric emptying, a gastrointestinal condition where food passes from the stomach too quickly, leading to uncomfortable symptoms after eating.
This non-invasive scan uses a tiny amount of radioactive material to assess stomach emptying speed to diagnose rapid gastric emptying and related gastrointestinal issues.
Key facts at a glance
- Modality
- nuclear
- Body part
- abdomen · gastric
- Ionizing radiation
- true
- Radiation dose
- 6
- Duration (min)
- 10
- Pregnancy safe
- false
- Pediatric safe
- true
- Breastfeeding safe
- true
- Claustrophobia risk
- none
- Metal implant safe
- safe
- Sedation
- none
- SNOMED
- 241344002
- Result turnaround
- 2-4h
- Availability
- routine
- Setting
- outpatient
- Cost tier
- moderate
What Is a Rapid Gastric Emptying Scan?
A rapid gastric emptying scan is a specialized nuclear medicine test focused on evaluating the function of your stomach, the primary organ of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) system. The test uses a very small, safe dose of radioactive tracer that is mixed into a small, bland meal (such as scrambled eggs, toast, or a liquid nutritional supplement) that you eat before imaging begins. No special preparation is required before your appointment, the scan itself takes only 10 minutes to complete, no contrast dye is used at any point during the procedure, and there is no risk of claustrophobia as no enclosed scanning machinery is involved.
Clinical Uses for This Scan
This scan is ordered to diagnose rapid gastric emptying (also called dumping syndrome), a GI condition where food moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine, causing symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness after meals, and unexpected low blood sugar. It may also be used to rule out other GI conditions that cause similar symptoms, including gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). For people already diagnosed with rapid gastric emptying, the scan can be used to monitor how well dietary changes, medications, or other treatments are improving stomach emptying function.
What to Expect During the Procedure
You do not need to fast or follow any special dietary restrictions before your scan unless your healthcare provider gives you specific instructions. When you arrive for your appointment, a nuclear medicine technologist will prepare a small meal mixed with the radioactive tracer for you to eat, then you will lie on a comfortable exam table while a specialized gamma camera positioned above your abdomen takes images of your stomach for 10 minutes. The procedure is completely painless, you will not be enclosed in a tight or narrow space, and you can resume all normal activities, including eating and drinking, immediately after the scan is finished.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 9, 2026. · Read our editorial policy