[Standardization of gastric emptying scintigraphy with egg white labeled with 99mTc-sulfur colloid]

Gastric emptying scintigraphy has become the gold standard, by excellence, in gastric emptying studies. This method must be standardized for the correct interpretation of results. The ideal protocol must be performed with an egg sandwich or egg white poder, both labeled with 99mTc sulphur colloid. The aim of this study was to standardize and determine the protocol with99m Tc sulphur colloid incorporated in egg white and compare it with a hamburger labeled with 99mTc sulphur colloid as well.

We studied 30 patients who underwent gastric emptying scintigraphy with the two aforementioned meals.

Emptying percentages and retention with both meals were similar within an hour and two; however, statistical significance arose until the third hour with a p value of 0.26 by using Student's t for independent samples.

Gastric emptying studies in both protocols where similar with normal ranges. The egg white ingested must be consistent for reproducible results in gastric motility disease, like organoleptic and volume characteristics.