Adult hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

Adult hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is an unusual disease of obscure etiology which causes varying degrees of gastric outlet obstruction. Diagnosis by history, physical examination, and roentgenography is difficult but can be readily made with fiberoptic gastroscopy where a characteristic pyloric "cervix sign" is seen. All of the many operations for relief of gastric outlet obstruction have been tried with this lesion, with resection and Billroth I reanastomosis the accepted treatment. Two patients are reported with adult hypertrophic pyloric stenosis who had typical endoscopic findings. One was treated with distal gastrectomy, and the other was adequately treated by endoscopic dilatation alone. It is suggested that endoscopic dilatation is acceptable as primary therapy in suitable cases.