BACKGROUND/AIMS: Barium studies, endoscopies and endoscopic ultrasound are the usual methods for gastrointestinal tract examinations. Endoscopic ultrasound was the only accurate equipment used for imaging the various layers of the stomach wall distinctly. METHODOLOGY: Twenty patients undergoing renal ultrasound were given 600 cc of water to drink. Gastric wall layers were demonstrated in all patients, namely mucosa; submucosa, musculosa and serosa. The echogenic layer of the water-mucosa interface was not included in gastric wall thickness measurement. RESULTS: The normal wall measurement varied from 3-5 mm. This is lower than in previous reports. CONCLUSIONS: Water enhanced "non-paralytic" transcutaneous ultrasound is a simple, safe, non-invasive, and accurate test for visualizing gastric wall layers.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Barium studies, endoscopies and endoscopic ultrasound are the usual methods for gastrointestinal tract examinations. Endoscopic ultrasound was the only accurate equipment used for imaging the various layers of the stomach wall distinctly. METHODOLOGY: Twenty patients undergoing renal ultrasound were given 600 cc of water to drink. Gastric wall layers were demonstrated in all patients, namely mucosa; submucosa, musculosa and serosa. The echogenic layer of the water-mucosa interface was not included in gastric wall thickness measurement. RESULTS: The normal wall measurement varied from 3-5 mm. This is lower than in previous reports. CONCLUSIONS:Water enhanced "non-paralytic" transcutaneous ultrasound is a simple, safe, non-invasive, and accurate test for visualizing gastric wall layers.