SONOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF STOMACH EMPT YING USING ANTRUM PLANIMETRY WITH JUNCTIONAL EMPTYING LINE (FEL)

Previous studies have shown high inter-and intraindividual variation c oefficients (Vk(inter); Vk(intra)) of the gastric emptying time tend d etermined by sonographical antrum planimetry. Purpose: Are there new p arameters reflecting the functional process of gastric emptying? Metho d: Gastric emptying of 300 ml water was studied in 20 healthy voluntee rs by sonographical antrum planimetry. 10 volunteers were examined a s econd time on another day. Results: High variation coefficients Vk(int er) (42%) and Vk(intra) (31%) could be demonstrated. Moreover, a corre lation of r=+0,922 between t(end) and the maximal percentual increase of the antral area was evident. This relation is introduced as the fun ctional-emptying-line (FEL). Conclusion: Using the functional aspects of FEL, gastric emptying can be studied sonographically under function al aspects.