Antral mucosal diaphragms in infants and children.

The antral mucosal diaphragm in infants and children has been reported in the literature in 48 patients. We have encountered antral mucosal diaphragms in 6 children. Only 3 of these 6 patients required surgery. These 6 cases and a review of the published cases suggest that patients fall into two groups: the first group usually requires surgery because of recurrent clinical signs suggesting a partial gastric outlet obstruction. The second group have the diaphragm detected incidentally or have unimpressive clinical findings. This group can be followed without surgery. In all cases, the diagnosis is made by an upper gastrointestinal series, but the need for surgery was determined clinically.