Radiographic response to cimetidine in patients with basal gastric acid hypersecretion

Gastroduodenal rugal enlargement is associated with gastric acid hypersecretion. This study investigates the effects on the upper gastrointestinal (GI) examination of gastric acid suppression by cimetidine. Radiographs were evaluated for gastric and small-bowel fold size, small-bowel dilatation, and the presence of fluid in the stomach and small bowel. Six patients with basal gastric-acid hypersecretion (three with ordinary duodenal ulcer disease and three with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome) were studied. Results revealed that hypersecretors with ordinary duodenal ulcer disease could not be distinguished from those with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome by means of the upper GI study. The effects on the GI examination of the acid suppression by cimetidine were apparent in four of the six patients. Relations between observed radiographic effects and basal acid output and cimetidine dose were suggested only among the duodenal ulcer disease patients.