13C-octanoic acid breath test for measuring gastric emptying of solids

F. Perri, M.R. Pastore*, V. Annese

Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Unit and *Department of Pediatrics,
“Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza” Hospital, IRCCS – San Giovanni Rotondo, FG (Italy)

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• Gastroenterology

Abstract. – Non invasive evaluation of gastric emptying is generally performed by scintigraphy which is, however, difficult to perform and not suitable to children and child-bearing women. A new method based on stable isotope breath testing analysis has been introduced in clinical practice: the 13C-octanoic acid breath test. In this paper, an overview of the current knowledge on this technique is given with special emphasis on the principle of the test, the mathematics used to analyse the results, and the physiological, pathological, and pharmacological aspects of gastric emptying studied with this new method.

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