Demonstration of superficial gastric erosions by double contrast radiography.

Superficial gastric erosions were found in 30 of 267 patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy. In 13 of these patients, and in 7 others not submitted to endoscopy, superficial gastric erosions were demonstrated radiologically by the double contrast technique. These may appear as flat, linear streaks, as dots of barium, or as target-like lesions with a central fleck of barium surrounded by a radiolucent halo. In 1 patient, a ring-shaped density was demonstrated due to a small blood clot adherent to a gastric erosion. Although patients presenting with acute hemorrhagic gastritis should still be examined first by endoscopy, double contrast radiography has been of value in patients presenting after the cessation of bleeding and in patients with vague digestive complaints. Because of our experience with the diagnosis of standard methods, and because of the Japanese experience with diagnosis of superficial gastric carcinoma, it is recommended that this technique be applied more widely to facilitate the detection of early and small lesions in the stomach.