Combined Gastric Alimetry and Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy Testing Increases Clinician Certainty in the Diagnosis and Management of Suspected Gastroparesis
10.5056/jnm25094
- Author:
Ryan ABRAHAM
;
Daphne FOONG
;
Vincent HO
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
2026;32(1):61-70
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background/Aims:Gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) is the reference standard test for diagnosing gastroparesis. Body surface gastric mapping (BSGM) via Gastric Alimetry is a new test of gastric function that combines non-invasive assessment of gastric electrophysiology and validated symptom profiling. This randomized, prospective pilot study evaluated the impact of GES vs BSGM test results on clinical decision-making.
Methods:Patients with chronic gastroduodenal symptoms from a tertiary center referred for GES were recruited. Subjects separately underwent baseline assessment with GES and BSGM testing. Two motility-specialists were first asked to devise a management plan after reviewing a test result (GES or BSGM, in random order). They were then asked to repeat the management plan after reviewing the other test result (BSGM or GES). Clinician-perceived certainty measures were assessed.
Results:Sixteen patients, 13 (81.0%) female, median age 30 years, median body mass index 22.5 kg/m2 , were recruited.At baseline, a diagnosis was established in 2/16 (12.5%) and increased to 8/16 (50.0%) with both tests. Abnormal test results were found in 11 patients. In patients with normal results, BSGM symptom profiling phenotyped 5 additional patients. All patients received an intervention following the first unblinding, with subsequent management changes made in 75.0% (BSGM) and 62.5% (GES) of patients. The combined GES and BSGM results significantly increased diagnostic and management certainty (P < 0.05), with both tests having similar influence on management (P > 0.05).
Conclusion:The combined GES and BSGM test results significantly enhanced diagnostic and management confidence in patients with suspected gastroparesis within a tertiary center.
