Quantification of gastric emptying with magnetic resonance imaging in healthy volunteers: A systematic review

Abstract

Background Several magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols have been used to assess gastric emptying (GE) with MRI. This systematic review summarizes the current literature on the topic. The aim was to provide an overview of the available imaging protocols and underline the items that appear most agreed upon and those that deserve further investigation. Methods According to PRISMA guidelines, two independent reviewers conducted a systematic literature search with a pre‐specified strategy in different databases. Peer‐reviewed articles that utilized MRI techniques to assess GE in healthy volunteers (HVs) were included. The quality and the outcomes of the studies were reported and analyzed. Key Results The literature search yielded 30 studies (531 HVs, weighted mean age 27.4, weighted mean body mass index 23.0 kg/m2), T2‐weighted sequences, balanced turbo field echo, and balanced gradient echo were evenly utilized, with volunteers in the supine position (74% of the studies). After overnight fasting, both liquid (56%) and mixed (44%) meals were equally utilized. Segmentation of the volumes was predominantly performed manually (63%) with a reported mean T50 ranging from 7 to 330 min. Conclusions & Inferences As observed in this systematic review, MRI is a flexible tool for assessing GE. Different protocols were analyzed, showing an equal capacity to assess the GE. However, many items in these protocols still require further investigation to obtain a common standard and increase this assessment quality.

A novel MRI‐based three‐dimensional model of stomach volume, surface area, and geometry in response to gastric filling and emptying

“…MRI gastric emptying studies have reported emptying half‐times between 64 and 92 minutes in healthy subjects for meals with similar composition 25,41,42 . Our half‐time measurements of 69 min for liquid and 86 min for the total volume comply with these observations.…”

“…26 MRI gastric emptying studies have reported emptying halftimes between 64 and 92 minutes in healthy subjects for meals with similar composition. 25,41,42 Our half-time measurements of 69 min for liquid and 86 min for the total volume comply with these observations. Direct comparison with previous data is difficult due to differences between study protocols, such as different amounts and kinds of meals, 23 MRI sequences, 25 or different sample sizes or demographics.…”

A novel MRI-based three-dimensional model of stomach volume, surface area and geometry in response to gastric filling and emptying

“…26 MRI gastric emptying studies have reported emptying half-times between 7 and 330 minutes in healthy subjects for liquid and mixed meals. 41 Our half-time measurements of 69.3 min for liquid and 86.0 min for the total volume comply with these observations. Direct comparison with previous data is difficult due to differences between study protocols, such as different amounts and kinds of meals, 23 MRI sequences, 25 or different sample sizes or demographics.…”

“…55 However, in the majority of similar studies, the study subjects were also placed in supine position as this is easier with standard MRI equipment. 41 All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.…”

“…55 However, in the majority of similar studies, the study subjects were also placed in supine position as this is easier with standard MRI equipment. 41 An unavoidable issue in the segmentation of gastric volumes is the lack of a precise anatomical boundary between the duodenum and pylorus, making it challenging to outline identical segmented compartments of the stomach during all six scans. Custom boundaries were adopted as previously described, but their overall impact on measurements is still unclear.…”