The retained gastric antrum. Preoperative roentgenologic diagnosis of an iatrogenic syndrome.

Abstract

Surgical retention of the endocrinologically active gastric antrum results in a high incidence of recurrent ulcer disease after partial gastrectomy.This introduction of the iatrogenic syndrome of the retained gastric antrum to the radiologic literature includes the report of 4 cases. Symptoms of ulcer recurrence had occurred within 2 to 5 months following surgery. All 4 patients are symptom free after resection of a retained antrum with follow-up ranging from II months to 5 years.The roentgenologic technique and diagnosis of the retained gastric antrum are discussed with differential considerations. The importance of the roentgenologic diagnosis before re-exploration is stressed.