Correlation between visualization and size of the areae gastricae and duodenal ulcer.

The relationship between the antral mucosal appearance and the incidence of duodenal ulcer was examined by review of 250 double-contrast barium-meal studies. When the mucosal pattern was seen, the areae gastricae were larger in patients with duodenal ulcer. Failure to see the mucosal pattern occurred more frequently in patients without ulcer.