Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy (GES)
What is Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy (GES)?
Gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) is a special imaging test used to see how well your child’s stomach empties food into the small intestine. At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, this test is part of the advanced care offered by our Neurogastroenterology and Motility Disorders Center.
A GES study is a type of nuclear medicine scan that uses a very small amount of radioactive material (a “tracer”) to take pictures and study how parts of the body are working, not just what they look like.
For this test, your child eats a meal mixed with a tiny amount of tracer. A special camera then takes pictures over several hours to show how quickly the food leaves the stomach. This gives an objective, measured view of gastric emptying and is considered the gold-standard test for diagnosing gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying).
Why Might my Child Need This Test?
Your child’s gastroenterologist may order a GES study if they have symptoms that suggest a stomach motility problem, such as:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Feeling full quickly or not wanting to eat
- Belly pain or bloating
- Poor weight gain or trouble maintaining nutrition
The test is especially useful in evaluating gastroparesis and other motility disorders when symptoms continue despite basic treatments, or when other tests (like endoscopy or an upper GI series) have not shown a clear cause.
What Happens During the Test?
Your child’s care team will give you specific instructions based on age and medical needs to prepare for the test. Following these instructions closely helps make sure the test results are accurate. In general, your child will need to stop eating and drinking for several hours before the test. Some medicines that affect stomach movement may need to be stopped ahead of time.
The complete test involves the following:
- Check-in and preparation: You and your child will arrive at the Radiology/Nuclear Medicine area. A technologist will explain the steps and answer your questions.
- Eating the test meal: Your child will eat a small meal (often egg-based or another standardized meal) mixed with the radioactive tracer. The tracer does not change the taste of the food. The meal is designed according to national pediatric guidelines so that results can be compared to normal values.
- Imaging with the camera: After your child finishes the meal, they will lie under a special camera. The camera does not touch them or go inside the body. Images are usually taken right after the meal and then at set times over the next few hours to see how much food remains in the stomach.
- Comfort during the study: Your child will need to stay fairly still during each picture, but they can often rest, watch a movie, or read between images. You may be able to stay in the room, depending on safety guidelines.
Is the Test Safe?
The amount of radioactive tracer used is very small. The radiation dose is similar to, or sometimes less than, that of other common imaging tests. Nuclear medicine has been used safely in children for many years, and the benefits of getting clear information about your child’s stomach function usually outweigh the small risks of radiation exposure.
If your child is pregnant or there is any chance of pregnancy in a teen patient, it is important to tell the care team before the test.
How Will we Get Results?
A radiologist who specializes in nuclear medicine will review the images and measure how quickly the meal empties from the stomach at each time point. The results are compared to normal ranges for children and reported to your child’s gastroenterologist.
Your child’s doctor will then discuss what the results mean, how they fit with symptoms and other tests, and what treatment options are recommended.
Why Nationwide Children’s Hospital?
At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) is part of a comprehensive motility program that includes expert pediatric gastroenterologists, radiologists, dietitians, psychologists, and nurses. Our team follows up-to-date national guidelines for pediatric gastric emptying and is involved in research to improve testing and treatment for children with motility disorders.
This combination of specialized expertise, child-focused care, and active research means your child’s test and treatment plan are guided by the latest knowledge in pediatric motility medicine.
Medical Reviewer: Peter Lu, MD, Nationwide Children's Hospital
Date Last Reviewed: 2/13/2026
The information provided here is only for general reference and should not take the place of medical care or patient education. If you have any questions, please contact your care team.
