Abnormal pattern of gastric emptying of liquid in chronic duodenal ulcer

Gastric emptying was measured in 12 patients with chronic duodenal ulceration and compared with the results from 10 healthy volunteers. The test meal of 300 ml 15% dextrose, labelled with 99mTc-DTPA, was ingested in increments over 6 min. Gamma camera imaging proceeded over 30 min, with a 1-min frame time. A direct correction was applied for the fraction emptying into the small bowel during the ingestion period. Gastric emptying at 6 min was significantly greater in the group with duodenal ulcer (14.4 +/- 2.7% vs. 4.2 +/- 0.9%: mean +/- SEM, p less than 0.01). From this time onwards there were no significant differences in the rates of gastric emptying. These results suggest that chronic duodenal ulcer is associated with an abnormal pattern of gastric emptying of liquid, characterised by an initial rapid phase.