Intestinal ascariasis in the differential diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease.

865 patients who had barium meal examination for clinical suspected peptic ulcer disease were studied. Out of these, 175 patients (20.2%) had no radiological evidence of peptic ulcer disease but were found to be infested with ascaris worms and their symptoms abated with the use of anthelminthics. None of the 93 patients who had haematemesis and gastric outlet obstruction had intestinal ascariasis. It is therefore suggested that in patients with symptoms of peptic ulcer disease, provided there are no complications, plain abdominal radiographs, stool examination and possibly therapy for helminths should be carried out before ordering barium meal examination.