Methods for measurement of gastric emptying

Different methods have been designed to study gastric emptying during the l ast decades. Radiological methods have been relieved by aspiration and intu bation methods in 1951. A new era started using scintigraphic methods in 19 61 by Griffith and co-workers. Today scintigraphic methods are still the go ld standard for gastric emptying measurement. Sonographic methods and breat h tests have been established in the last years. For some indications elect rogastrography, impedance methods and the "metal-detector-method" are very useful. MRI may gain importance in future time. This paper gives a survey f or today's possible methods and their indications to determine gastric empt ying disturbances.