Radiographic efficacy in gastric ulcer: comparison of single-contrast and multiphasic examinations

The efficacies of single-contrast and multiphasic examinations of the stomach for gastric ulcer detection were compared in 90 patients with 102 gastric ulcers, and in a control group of 382 patients without gastric ulcer. Single-contrast and multiphasic sensitivities were 62% and 64%, respectively. Radiographic detection depended significantly on ulcer size: Only 24% of ulcers under 5 mm were detected, compared with 89% of ulcers 5 mm or larger. Radiographic specificities and positive predictive values were similar for both types of examination. Moderate variation of the sensitivities and specificities of the three radiologists was observed, with ranges of 53-69% and 90-98%, respectively. Results indicated that gastric ulcer detection is more related to ulcer size and to individual interpretive variations than to the type of examination.