VOLUME MEASUREMENTS OF GASTRIC ANTRUM BY 3-D ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND FLOWMEASUREMENTS THROUGH THE PYLORUS BY DUPLEX TECHNIQUE

We present a method for estimating volumes of abdominal organs using 3 -D ultrasonography. In vitro validation experiments demonstrated excel lent agreement between estimated and true volumes. In vivo estimations after ingestion of 500 ml meat soup showed greater antral filling and poorer emptying of the gallbladder in patients with functional dyspep sia (FD) than in healthy controls. Abnormal antral filling was associa ted with dyspeptic symptoms. The relationship between motility and tra nspyloric movements of luminal contents after ingestion of 500 mi meat soup was studied in healthy subjects by duplex technique. Accurate ti ming of antegrade and retrograde how were recorded using bidirectional velocity curves. Mid-cycle and end-cycle reflux were often observed; end-cycle reflux was more frequent in conjunction with coordinated tha n with uncoordinated antroduodenal contractions. The peristaltic closu re of the pylorus was normally preceded by a short gush of duodenogast ric reflux.