Sulfamethizole capsules containing contrast medium for assessment of gastric emptying in functional dyspepsia patients

The usefulness of sulfamethizole capsules containing contrast medium in gastric emptying tests for functional dyspepsia was evaluated in five healthy volunteers and nine patients with dysmotility-like symptoms. Each subject swallowed 15 capsules with a liquid, food, and at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min, the capsule position and size were monitored fluoroscopically for 30 sec and radiograms were obtained. Blood sulfanethizole concentrations were also measured at the same time. Visualized capsule movement from the proximal to distal stomach up to 60 min was faster in the patients, whereas in the later digestion period, proximal stomach emptying in the patients was delayed significantly (P < 0.05), and the number of capsules remaining in the distal stomach at 120 min was significantly larger in the patients (P < 0.05). This test method was evaluated as being useful in monitoring solid emptying in normal and pathophysiologic conditions.