Histological findings in erosive prepyloric changes.

To study the histology of erosive prepyloric changes (EPC), 5 bioptic specimens per examination were obtained from the prepyloric mucosa during 161 upper endoscopies in persons with and without EPC. The macroscopic erosions of EPC grade 3 were histologically verified in 88% of the cases. Histologically diagnosed erosions were always accompanied by an element of acute inflammation. The incidence of acute inflammation increased with increasing grades of EPC, from 5% in grade 0 and 1, through 26% in grade 2, to 96% in grade 3. The incidence of chronic inflammation was 0 in grade 0, 50% in grade 1, 46% in grade 2, and 90% in grade 3. On the whole, gastritis was found in 98% of the cases with EPC grade 3, as compared with approximately 50% in grades 2 and 1. Fibrosis was diagnosed in all the cases. The mean thickness of the foveolar layer increased with increasing grades of EPC, the values being significantly higher in grades 2 and 3 than in grade 0, with, however, considerable overlapping between groups. Cimetidine was found to have no effect on the histological features of chronic/acute inflammation and erosion.