[Sonographic diagnosis of the fluid-filled stomach]

By filling the stomach with liquid, it becomes possible to represent all the sections of the wall of the stomach by means of transcutaneous ultrasonography. 68 patients were investigated in an initially orientating study. In 45 out of 53 patients with gastric wall changes, the lesion was correctly detected or correctly described. In addition to extensive wall-infiltrating processes and stenoses, circumscribed space-consuming lesions were also detected, for example, circumscribed carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma, leiomyoma, polyps, giant folds, gastric wall impressions, as well as early cancer and ulcers with elevated margin. Fifteen other patients with no gastric pathology were classified as unremarkable on the basis of the ultrasonographic image. The procedure would appear useful as a supplement to diagnostic endoscopy and x-rays, but also represents an alternative diagnostic procedure in selected patients who cannot be submitted to endoscopy or x-ray examination. Exclusion of any diagnosis is not possible by this method.