Nodular duodenitis and single duodenal nodules.

Duodenal nodules are an uncommon endoscopic finding generally thought to indicate duodenal inflammation. This study examines the incidence and histologic correlates of multiple and single duodenal nodules in 2,966 consecutive male patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy during the past five years. Five per cent had duodenal nodules. When two or more discrete nodules, with or without apical ulceration, were present, the finding was termed nodular duodenitis, which was seen five and one-half times more frequently than single nodules. There were 127 patients with nodular duodenitis (4.3%); seven had chronic renal disease and 33 (26%) had concomitant peptic ulcer disease. Biopsies showed either normal mucosa or histologic aberrations typical of nonspecific duodenitis. Single nodules were seen in only 23 patients (0.8%). Biopsies of these nodules revealed benign or malignant tumors in five instances and infrequently showed only normal mucosa. It is concluded that nodular duodenitis is a visually distinct, morphologic variant of nonspecific duodenitis bearing some yet-to-be-defined relationship to peptic ulcer disease. Single nodules are much less likely to represent duodenitis and, in fact, they have significant neoplastic potential, mandating biopsy whenever they are found.