[Usefulness of endoscopic identification of antral nodularity in the diagnosis of infection by Helicobacter pylori].

BACKGROUND

Several endoscopic signs of infection due to Helicobacter pylori has been described previously, all of them with poor sensibility and specificity, with the exception of antral nodularity (AN).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the utility of antral nodularity as an endoscopic sign of gastric infection due to Helicobacter pylori.

METHODOLOGY: Esofagogastroduodenoscopy was performed to 274 dyspeptic patients searching the existence of antral nodularity and Helicobacter pylori infection by ureasa rapid test (URT).

RESULTS

In 125 Hp+ (URT+) patients we found 41 AN+ URT+ (95.3%) and only 2 AN+ URT- (4.7%). Antral nodularity has a 32.8% sensibility, 98.6% specificity, 95.3% predictive positive value, 63.6% predictive negative value and 68.6% diagnostic exactitude for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori.

CONCLUSIONS

Antral nodularity is a specific and useful endoscopic sign for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.