A radiological survey of upper gastrointestinal lesions in Port Moresby 1972-74

During 2 1/2 year period in Port Moresby General Hospital, 1023 patients had barium meals. Two-thirds of the patients were males and over half were expatriates. Positive findings were noted in 26% of Papua New Guineans but only 11% of expatriates. Over half of those with positive findings had peptic ulcer. Chronic duodenal ulcer, including deformed duodenal cap, was the commonest finding in both Papua New Guineans and expatriates but gastric ulcer was also common in Papua New Guinean males. The incidence of peptic ulcer is less than that reported in Goroka and in some other countries. The next commonest findings were carcinoma of the oesophagus and stomach in Papua New Guineans and hiatus hernia in expatriate males.