Morphometric studies of normal and inflamed duodenal mucosa.

Corresponding and differing parameters in normal and inflamed duodenal mucosa are compared in a morphometric, histologic study. Results of this study show that the density of cellular infiltration into the lamina propria is decisive for the diagnosis of duodenitis, in particular the composition of plasma cells and lymphocytes. This diagnosis is supported by dilatation of Brunner's glands, cellular infiltration of the muscularis mucosae, and by gastric metaplasia of the duodenal epithelium. The length and width of the villi and crypts, the number of goblet cells and Paneth cells, the mitotic rate, and hemorrhage and hyperemia are inappropriate differential diagnosticc criteria.