Diabetic autonomic neuropathy may result in delayed gastric emptying and gastric retention. A case of gastric phytobezoar formation that was secondary to diabetic autonomic neuropathy is reported. Greatly impaired gastric emptying was documented in this case by administration of a radiolabelled meal. Parenteral metoclopramide hydrochloride completely corrected the patient's gastric motility disturbance.
(Arch Intern Med 137:1729, 1977)