Metoclopramide in gastrointestinal radiology.
Since the late 1960's, metoclopramide has been used in Europe for the treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders. It is less well known in North America and its application in diagnostic radiology is unfamiliar to most radiologists. By comparing a control group of 103 patients with a study group of 86 patients, we found that intramuscular injection of metoclopramide is effective in reducing both gastric emptying time and small bowel transit time. Side effects were negligible in 125 patients. We also found the drug useful in gastric stasis, to differentiate between mechanical obstruction and motility disorders, in fluoroscopy of the terminal ileum, and in duodenal intubation.