Gastroparesis after radiation. Successful treatment with carbachol.

Following abdominal radiation, a 16-year-old male developed persistent vomiting, metabolic alkalosis, and cachexia secondary to gastric stasis, atony, and dilatation in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Fluoroscopically and manometrically, antral motility was found to be severely impaired. Antral motor activity was not influenced by metoclopramide, but stimulated by carbachol. During oral maintenance carbachol therapy, gastric emptying of food was restored and sufficient oral nutrition could be resumed. The improvement persisted even after termination of therapy four months later. Systematic investigations on the effects of abdominal radiation on gastrointestinal motility appear to be necessary.