Areae gastricae in gastritis: lack of correlation between size and histology.

The area gastrica patterns of the stomach were studied using surgical specimens. From each of 15 patients, two specimens were obtained: one from the antrum and one from the corpus. These 30 specimens were photographed by stereomicroscope, and the areae gastricae were classified into three groups: none, 1-3 mm in diameter, and 4-6 mm in diameter. The same surgical specimens were studied histologically and the findings were compared with the area gastrica groups. Almost all specimens showed superficial and atrophic gastritis. No correlation between the different sizes of the areae gastricae and the histologic findings was found. The different area gastrica patterns have little value as indication of different types of gastritis.