Detection of gastric ulcer: comparison of single- and double-contrast examination

The radiographic sensitivities of single- and double-contrast examinations for detecting gastric ulcer were compared. Single-contrast radiography detected 30 (75%) of 40 endoscopically verified gastric ulcers. Only 56% of ulcers under 5 mm were detected with the single-contrast method, while 88% of those larger were identified. Double-contrast radiography detected 58 (62%) of 93 endoscopically verified gastric ulcers. Only 45% of ulcers under 5 mm were detected with the double-contrast method, while 78% of those larger were identified. Statistically, the probability of ulcer detection was found to be primarily dependent on ulcer size, regardless of the technique used, and no significant difference could be demonstrated between the sensitivities of single- and double-contrast radiography.