Scintigraphic validation of a magnetic resonance imaging method to study gastric emptying of a solid meal in humans

Abstract

Background - We have previously used a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method to study gastric emptying of liquids. So far, however, it has not possible to assess solid gastric emptying with this technique. Aims - To validate scintigraphically MRI as a method for measuring emptying of a mixed solid/liquid meal. Methods - In eight healthy subjects, gastric emptying of a solid/liquid (SM) and a liquid meal (LM) of identical energy content and macronutrient composition was studied by scintigraphy and MRI for 120 minutes. Results - MRI and scintigraphy agreed with respect to emptying profiles (intraclass correlation coefficient (R(I)) (SM): 0.988, R(I), (LM): 0.917), t(1/2) (SM(MRI):129 (9), SM(Scinti): 123 (11) minutes, NS: LM(MRI): 100 (7), LM(Scinti): 110 (8) minutes, NS) and AUC (SM(MRI): 8999 (232), SM(Scinti): 8788 (277) min%, NS; LM(MRI): 8819 (368), LM(Scinti): 8891 (321) min%, NS). Conclusions - MRI can be used to measure reliably gastric emptying not only of liquid but also of mixed solid/liquid meals in humans.