Hypertrophied antral-pyloric fold: Reassessment of radiographic findings in 40 patients

PURPOSE: To reassess the findings of a hypertrophied antral-pyloric fold on double-contrast barium studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of radiologic files resulted in recovery of records of 1,796 patients with findings of antral gastritis on double-contrast upper gastrointestinal studies. According to radiologic reports, 40 patients had a hypertrophied antral-pyloric fold. The radiographs were reviewed retrospectively to determine the size, location, and morphologic features of the folds. Clinical, radiologic, and/or endoscopic follow-up data were obtained in 22 patients. RESULTS: All but two patients were symptomatic, and all but one responded to medical treatment. The hypertrophied antral-pyloric fold was located on the lesser curvature of the distal antrum in all patients and extended to the pylorus in 25 (62%) and into the base of the duodenal bulb in 15 (38%). The fold appeared as a smooth or slightly lobulated submucosal mass in 37 (92%) patients and as a plaquelike lesion in three (8%). Other radiographic findings of antral gastritis were present in 26 (65%) patients. In nine patients who underwent endoscopy, endoscopic and/or histologic findings of antral gastritis were present in five, but none had evidence of tumor. CONCLUSION: A hypertrophied antral-pyloric fold may be a sign of antral gastritis that is associated with characteristic radiographic findings. Endoscopy and biopsy may not be warranted when lesions with features typical of a hypertrophied antral-pyloric fold are seen on double-contrast barium studies.