Rumination Syndrome

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of rumination syndrome often does not require imaging or other tests. It requires an accurate history and description of symptoms, and possibly observing the patient's behavior.

Receiving an early, accurate diagnosis can spare patients from undergoing unnecessary, costly and invasive procedures and focus attention more quickly on effective treatment.

The following tests may be performed to rule out potential underlying causes:

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
A lighted, flexible tube (endoscope) with a camera on its tip is inserted through the mouth to examine the gastrointestinal tract; biopsies (tissue samples) can be taken at the same time. Patients are given a local anesthetic or sedated for the procedure.

Gastric (stomach) emptying study
The patient ingests a very small amount of radioactive material which is tracked by a special camera as the food is processed and passed through the digestive tract. Mayo typically performs a longer, four-hour study to get a more complete picture.

In infants, hiatal hernia and pyloric stenosis may need to be ruled out as possible causes. This may involve taking an ultrasound or contrast X-ray.

Blood tests might also be performed to measure malnutrition.