Polyps in the acid-secreting area of the stomach

The relation of gastric polyps to acid-secreting mucosa was examined in 120 patients with gastric polyps. Studies were made by the endoscopic Congo red test developed in this clinic. In 23 patients (19.1%) gastric polyps were located in acid-secreting mucosa and may have arisen from normal oxyntic mucosa. These polyps were of two histological types: oxyntic gland polyps containing many parietal cells, and nonoxyntic gland polyps without parietal cells. Only the former type appeared to secrete acid, judging endoscopically from the change of Congo red from red to blue-black on the surface of the polyps after administration of gastrin.