Scintigraphy of the digestive system

In some diseases of the rheumatic type, eg collagenoses, there may be a limitation of the mobility of the esophagus, which can be felt, inter alia, by dysphagia. Another disease that accompanies a passageway disorder of the upper digestive tract is the "dumping syndrome". This leads to an accelerated emptying of food from the stomach into the small intestine. The "dumping syndrome" occasionally occurs after surgical procedures on the digestive system.

To study the function of the esophagus or the stomach, a scintigraphy of the esophagus or the stomach may be necessary. For this examination, you must be sober. You should not have drunk alcohol the night before. Cigarettes are also not allowed on the examination day. Medications that affect the gastrointestinal passage should be taken if possible after completion of the study. Possibly. You will be asked to bring a yoghurt and a boiled egg. As a rule, you will receive a low-level radioactive, liquid or semi-solid meal while sitting in front of a camera. This camera follows the path of the test meal on the esophagus, stomach and possibly intestine. Thus, traffic disturbances can be detected. The examination of the esophagus lasts 10 min. The stomach examination is a bit longer with about 30 minutes, but can last up to 2 hours in severe disorders.