Common gastroenterological problems. III. Chronic benign gastric ulcer.
A gastric ulcer is a lesion which needs to be treated with respect and should be followed to a satisfactory conclusion. The barium meal is still the mainstay of diagnosis but the accuracy of this examination is considerably improved when a double-contrast technique is used. Endoscopy is of value both to check the radiological findings and in particular to obtain biopsy material for histological examination. When the diagnosis has been established surgical intervention may be indicated, but if a course of medical treatment is thought to be justifiable the patient's progress must be closely followed radiologically and surgery reconsidered if there is no convincing evidence of ulcer healing.
D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002229:Carbenoxolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006035:Glycyrrhiza; D006801:Humans; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011859:Radiography; D012146:Rest; D012907:Smoking; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy
D000863:Antacids; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002229:Carbenoxolone