Trends in and value and consequences of radiologic imaging of perforated gastroduodenal ulcer. A 50-year experience.
The trends in and value and consequences of radiologic imaging in 1128 patients with perforated gastroduodenal ulcer have been studied over the 50-year period 1935-1985. The proportion of patients undergoing plain X-ray studies increased from 4% in the first 5-year period (1935-1939) to 94% in the last (1980-1985). Pneumoperitoneum was found in 77% of those undergoing X-ray studies. Water-soluble contrast studies were introduced in 1960, and in the three 5-year periods 1970-1985 from 8% to 13% underwent such imaging. Leakage was demonstrated in 60% of those undergoing contrast studies. Contrast studies have had a limited role in the pretreatment evaluation of these patients. The frequency of pneumoperitoneum was fairly constant over the 50-year period, and the only patient characteristic that influenced the occurrence of free gas in the abdominal cavity was age, with a higher proportion of patients with pneumoperitoneum in old patients. Any radiologic study increased treatment delay by at least 2 h.
Svanes
C
C
Dept. of Surgery, University of Bergen, Haukeland Hospital, Norway.
Salvesen
H
H
Bjerke Larssen
T
T
Svanes
K
K
Søreide
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010439:Peptic Ulcer Perforation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D003287:Contrast Media