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

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), (LM): 0.917), t(1/2) (SMMRI: 129 (9), SMScinti: 123 (11) minutes, NS; L-MRI: 100 (7), LMScinti: 110 (8) minutes, NS) and AUC (SMMRI: 8999 (232), SMScinti: 8788 (277) min%, NS; LMMRI: 8819 (368), LMScinti: 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.