Profile Roentgenographic Features of Benign Greater Curvature Ulcers

Abstract

Certain roentgenographic features have been considered typical of benign gastric ulcers, based almost entirely on studies of the lesser curvature. However, these features frequently are not present on the profile view in benign greater curvature ulcers. Moreover, features stated to suggest malignancy in gastric ulcers are commonly simulated by benign greater curvature ulcers. The authors reviewed the profile roentgenographic features of 19 benign greater curvature ulcers and found that they often appeared to be intraluminal and had shouldered edges due to spasm of the surrounding circular muscles. In 6 patients the adjacent gastric contour was scalloped. These features frequently cause radiologists to misinterpret benign greater curvature ulcers as malignant.