Lesser curve shortening in gastric ulceration.

Benign or malignant gastric ulcers may influence the contour of the lesser curve. A normally acute incisura angularis (angulus) may become blunted or obliterated by an ulcer because of oedema, fibrosis or infiltration. At a later stage the fibrosis resulting from a chronic ulcer may cause scarring and lesser curve shortening, with displacement of the pylorus towards the fundus. Marked deformities may arise, causing gastric stasis. The radiological demonstration of an abnormal angulus of a shortened lesser curve may occasionally provide the first clue to the presence of a gastric ulcer or other lesion.