Abstract: Objective To evaluate gastric accommodation using 3D ultrasound imaging and Perfusion Nutrient Load test（P-NLT） by means of gastric volumes calculation and to verify validation of P-NLT in evaluation of gastric accommodation in healthy subjects. Methods 10 healthy subjects received P-NLT through a nasal-gastric tube with a constant rate of 50 mL/min (0.75 kcal/mL). Meanwhile 3DUS and 2DUS were used for imaging of PGV and PGA in different day, respectively. During the perfusion, visual analogue scale (VAS, 0～10) was used to evaluate satiety .The nutrient volume in different satiety scale and time consume was recorded during P-NLT. Then the measure values in 3DUS were compared with corresponding parameters in 2DUS. Results No difference was observed in the amount of nutrient liquid at minimal satiety and maximal satiety between the first and the second P-NLT study. PGV (p<0.01) and PGA (p<0.05) at maximal satiety measured by 3DUSwere both significantly correlated with MV. Furthermore, PGV at minimal satiety measured by 3DUS (p<0.05) was significantly correlated with TV. Significant differences were found in PGV (p<0.05) and PGA (p<0.01) at maximal satiety between 3DUS and 2DUS, and there was significant difference in PGA (p<0.01)at minimal satiety in two methods, too. But the curve estimated between MV and PGA or PGV at maximal satiety used by 2DUS was parallel with that in 3DUS. Conclusions 3DUS is superior to 2DUS for its accuracy and precision in volume estimation and more available for proximal gastric accommodation. P-NLT is a feasible and repeatable method in assessment of proximal gastric accommodation.

Key words: nutrient load test, gastric accommodation, 3DUS, 2DUS