Radiological investigation of the mucosae around early gastric cancers.

BACKGROUND

To clarify the corresponding histological structures, double-contrast images of mucosae around early gastric cancers were examined.

METHODS

A total of 332 areas of double-contrast images of the gastric mucosae around early gastric cancers and corresponding specimens resected in operations were selected. The size, shape, and regularity of the granules in the images were inspected. Bull's-eye shadows and dot shadows in the images were also investigated. These findings were compared with the severity of mucosal atrophy, hyperplasia of lymph follicles, and intestinal metaplasia in the corresponding specimens.

RESULTS

In fundic gland mucosae, granules which were small, oval, irregular, or unaccompanied by bull's-eye shadows indicated severe atrophy. Granules which were irregular or accompanied by dot shadows indicated severe intestinal metaplasia. Granules which were small, oval, or irregular indicated severe hyperplasia of lymph follicles. In pyloric gland mucosae, oval or irregular granules accompanied by dot shadows indicated severe mucosal atrophy and severe intestinal metaplasia. Diamond-shaped granules indicated severe hyperplasia of lymph follicles.

CONCLUSIONS

The histological structure of normal gastric mucosae around gastric cancers can be inferred from the size, shape, and regularity of granules, and the presence of bull's-eye or dot shadows in double-contrast images.