Determination of duodenal ulcer healing

Abstract

The significance of X-ray findings, especially the degree of duodenal cap deformity and the existence of ulcer niche, for evaluating determination of duodenal ulcer healing is discussed in contrast with the existence of upper abdominal complaint. 1) In duodenal ulcer disease roentgen sign of scar formation sometimes can be demonstrated in the form of faint niche. 2) In the cases detected with mass survey many patients show slight deformity of the duodenal cap on radiographs, compared with the cases experienced in our clinic. 3) In this study our clinical determination of duodenal ulcer healing is referred to the group of the patients who complained no upper abdominal distress during the observation period of four years. Upon considering the X-ray findings belonging to the group of the patients diagnosed as healed according to our criteria, ulcer niche is recognized in 32 per cent of them. This result shows no coincidence with that obtained with roentgenological determination of duodenal ulcer healing. 4) Nine of eighty patients showed exacerbation during the observation period. Three of them were seen in the group of the patients without symptoms and six of them in the group of the patients with symptoms. 5) Determination of duodenal ulcer healing should be done by taking not only the existence of niche but also the degree of duodenal cap deformity and the period of no complaint into consideration.