Roentgenological findings in gastric and duodenal ulcers in children

Summary

The roentgenological examination of children with abdominal symptoms is of the greatest importance, as, apparently, the diagnosis of peptic ulcers in childhood is frequently missed. Only by using all modern methods ot roentgenology is an improvement in the diagnosis possible. Due to the small size of the pathological process, fluoroscopy is unable to detect the lesion Besides the motility of the alimentary tract is so rapid that the fluoroscopist cannot detect the lesions. Therefore multiple roentgenograms are necessary and still more spotfilms ot the very rapid moving parts of the duodenum are indicated. It is astonishing at what an early age deformities due to ulcers can be found. Some of the complaints of the patients are due, not only to the actual ulcer, but also to the concomitant functional pathology, such as hypersecretion and delayed emptying of the stomach. The study of gastric hypersecretion and increased mucous production has been dealt with before; however, it is nearly always present in ulcer cases. The delayed motility (six hour gastric residue) plays an important role as a cause for some of the complaints.