Gastroparesis in Parkinson Disease: Pathophysiology, and Clinical Management

Patients with Parkinson disease (PD) experience a range of non-motor symptoms, including gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms can be present in the prodromal phase of the disease. Recent advances in pathophysiology reveal that α-synuclein aggregates that form Lewy bodies and neurites, the hallmark of PD, are present in the enteric nervous system and may precede motor symptoms. Gastroparesis is one of the gastrointestinal involvements of PD and is characterized by delayed gastric emptying of solid food in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Gastroparesis has been reported in nearly 45% of PD. The cardinal symptoms include early satiety, postprandial fullness, nausea, and vomiting. The diagnosis requires an appropriate test to confirm delayed gastric emptying, such as gastric scintigraphy, or breath test. Gastroparesis can lead to malnutrition and impairment of quality of life. Moreover, it might interfere with the absorption of antiparkinsonian drugs. The treatment includes dietary modifications, and pharmacologic agents both to accelerate gastric emptying and relieve symptoms. Alternative treatments have been recently developed in the management of gastroparesis, and their use in patients with PD will be reported in this review.

Impact of methodical guidelines of gastric scintigraphy on patients’ radiation exposure

Introduction: Gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) is a safe, noninvasive method for assessing the ability of the stomach to empty which has been used clinically for many years. It is considered as a “gold standard” to assess gastric emptying of both solids and liquids allowing assessment of early, mid and late emptying, each of which may be altered by pathology. The aim of the study was to analyse standard diagnostic approach and evaluate patients` radiation exposure, who underwent GES in Slovakia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study included 55 patients from 2 departments of nuclear medicine (department A, B). Patients’ radiation exposure was determined by dosimetry program IDAC-Dose2.1. The radiopharmaceutical 99mTc-DTPA, always with the same activity, was applied orally to patients at Department B. The applied activity of the radiopharmaceutical at GES was 185 MBq. The radiopharmaceutical 99mTc MAA, with various activity, was applied orally to patients at Department A. Results: According to ICRP60, the eff ective dose (ED) of every patient undergoing GES was 0.77 mSv and, according to ICRP103, the dose was 0.836 mSv at Department B. Patients at Department A were exposed to ionizing radiation with 5-times lower intensity, compared with patients at Department B. It was caused by radiopharmaceutical activity correction. The ED medians according to ICRP60, and according to ICRP103 were 0.167 mSv (range 0.105–0.208 mSv) and 0.181 mSv (range 0.113–0.226 mSv) at Department A, respectively. Discussion: Adequate correction of applied radiopharmaceutical activity is an essential part of GES guidelines and in accordance with ALARA principles. For the accuracy of GES examination, it is necessary to follow a standard 4-hour protocol and an approach which ensures full-featured utilization of the examination while decreasing patient`s radiation exposure. Conclusion: The results of our study show relatively low ED associated with GES, but also confi rm that the GES methodology significantly affects the patient`s radiation exposure

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a condition characterized by delayed gastric emptying without evidence of mechanical obstruction in the stomach. Its symptoms include nausea, vomiting, early satiety, abdominal bloating, and abdominal pain. Most cases of gastroparesis are either idiopathic, due to diabetes mellitus, or post-surgical complications. The diagnosis of gastroparesis requires upper endoscopy, contrast radiography, or validated gastric scintigraphy. Gastroparesis is managed with nutritional support and treatment of any underlying disorders, such as diabetes. Pharmacological treatments have been tried, including prokinetics and novel medications. Interventions focused on the pylorus have shown promising results.