[Radiologic aspects of the surface mucosa of the duodenal bulb. Correlation with the endoscopic and histological aspects].

Double contrast barium meal, endoscopy and histology of the duodenal bulb were blindly compared in 47 consecutive patients. The agreement in the judgement of normality of the mucosal surface between radiology and endoscopy was 78%. The agreement in the diagnosis of presence or absence of nodularity and thickened folds was respectively 91% and 87%. The findings of nodularity correspond to duodenitis with pyloric metaplasia or to heterotopic gastric mucosa, while the thickened folds correspond to duodenitis with pyloric metaplasia, Brunner's hyperplasia, lymphatic nodular hyperplasia or cystic glandular dilatation. The diagnostic errors in the radiological examinations in respect to endoscopy is quite important in the case of erosions.