Roentgen problems in evaluating the atrophic stomach of the elderly

Gastric atrophy in the elderly may cause problems in the interpretation of gastrointestinal studies. Seventeen such cases are reported: 8 patients showed limited distensibility and irregularity of the distal stomach simulating scirrhous carcinoma; 6 patients showed gastric retention of food; and 2 patients showed gastric retention of oral cholecystographic medium. Awareness of these phenomena may prevent serious errors in roentgen diagnosis.