[Usefulness of endoscopic identification of antral nodularity in the diagnosis of infection by Helicobacter pylori].
BACKGROUND
Several endoscopic signs of infection due to Helicobacter pylori has been described previously, all of them with poor sensibility and specificity, with the exception of antral nodularity (AN).


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the utility of antral nodularity as an endoscopic sign of gastric infection due to Helicobacter pylori.


METHODS
Esofagogastroduodenoscopy was performed to 274 dyspeptic patients searching the existence of antral nodularity and Helicobacter pylori infection by ureasa rapid test (URT).


RESULTS
In 125 Hp+ (URT+) patients we found 41 AN+ URT+ (95.3%) and only 2 AN+ URT- (4.7%). Antral nodularity has a 32.8% sensibility, 98.6% specificity, 95.3% predictive positive value, 63.6% predictive negative value and 68.6% diagnostic exactitude for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori.


CONCLUSIONS
Antral nodularity is a specific and useful endoscopic sign for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.
Marín Pineda
Raúl
R
Servicio de Gastroenterología y Endoscopia Digestiva, Hospital Molina, Oaxaca, Oax. rmarinpoax@hotmail.com
Alvarez Martínez
Héctor Eloy
HE
Marín Domínguez
Raúl
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies