Abstract:Objective To evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in assessing gastric emptying in patients with different subtypes of functional dyspepsia (FD). Methods A total of 188 FD patients admitted to Eastern Hospital of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital were enrolled. There were 96 patients with upper epigastric pain syndrome (EPS group) and 92 patients with postprandial discomfort syndrome (PDS group). Meanwhile, 85 healthy subjects were enrolled as the control group. The changes of total gastric cavity volume (TGCV) and gastric emptying rate were observed during fasting, at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after taking contrast medium. The difference in 120-min gastric emptying rate before treatment and after treatment was observed. Results There were differences in TGCV and gastric emptying rate at different time points in the three groups (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in TGCV and gastric emptying rate among the three groups (P < 0.05). There were differences in the changing trends of TGCV and gastric emptying rate among the three groups (P < 0.05). The gastric emptying rates before and after treatment were significantly different in the EPS group and the PDS group (P < 0.05). Conclusions Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography can be used as an objective tool to evaluate the efficacy of FD patients. The traditional treatment is better for PDS patients than for EPS patients.