OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the frequency of visualization of areae gastricae on double-contrast upper gastrointestinal tract examinations is related to a patient's age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 141 double-contrast upper gastrointestinal tract examinations with normal findings were reviewed for the presence or absence of areae gastricae on double-contrast images of the stomach. All images were evaluated by two radiologists who were blinded to the age of the patients. The data were then analyzed to determine if the frequency of visualization of areae gastricae on double-contrast studies was significantly related to the age of patients. RESULTS: The frequency of visualization of areae gastricae increased significantly with increasing age (p = 0.008). The youngest age group (20--29 years old) exhibited areae gastricae in only four (19%) of 21 cases, whereas the oldest age group (> or = 70 years old) exhibited areae gastricae in 19 (76%) of 25 cases. On average, the rate of visualization of areae gastricae on double-contrast studies increased by 9% per decade. CONCLUSION: Our data show that the frequency of visualization of areae gastricae on double-contrast upper gastrointestinal tract examinations increases significantly with increasing patient age. It is important for radiologists to be aware of the effect of aging on the delineation of areae gastricae on double-contrast studies.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the frequency of visualization of areae gastricae on double-contrast upper gastrointestinal tract examinations is related to a patient's age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 141 double-contrast upper gastrointestinal tract examinations with normal findings were reviewed for the presence or absence of areae gastricae on double-contrast images of the stomach. All images were evaluated by two radiologists who were blinded to the age of the patients. The data were then analyzed to determine if the frequency of visualization of areae gastricae on double-contrast studies was significantly related to the age of patients. RESULTS: The frequency of visualization of areae gastricae increased significantly with increasing age (p = 0.008). The youngest age group (20--29 years old) exhibited areae gastricae in only four (19%) of 21 cases, whereas the oldest age group (> or = 70 years old) exhibited areae gastricae in 19 (76%) of 25 cases. On average, the rate of visualization of areae gastricae on double-contrast studies increased by 9% per decade. CONCLUSION: Our data show that the frequency of visualization of areae gastricae on double-contrast upper gastrointestinal tract examinations increases significantly with increasing patient age. It is important for radiologists to be aware of the effect of aging on the delineation of areae gastricae on double-contrast studies.