Peptic ulcer overview
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Peptic ulcer Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Surgery |
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Case Studies |
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2017 ACG Guidelines for Peptic Ulcer Disease |
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Guidelines for the Indications to Test for, and to Treat, H. pylori Infection |
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Guidlines for factors that predict the successful eradication when treating H. pylori infection |
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Guidelines to document H. pylori antimicrobial resistance in the North America |
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Guidelines for evaluation and testing of H. pylori antibiotic resistance |
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Guidelines for when to test for treatment success after H. pylori eradication therapy |
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Guidelines for penicillin allergy in patients with H. pylori infection |
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Peptic ulcer overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Peptic ulcer overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
A peptic ulcer'[1] is an ulcer of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. 80% of ulcers are associated with Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in the acidic environment of the stomach, however only 20% of those cases go to a doctor (for it is not a dangerous case if caught in time and can be treated with surgery). Ulcers can also be caused or worsened by drugs such as Aspirin and other NSAIDs. Contrary to general belief, more peptic ulcers arise in the duodenum (first part of the small intestine, just after the stomach) than in the stomach. About 4% of stomach ulcers are caused by a malignant tumor, so multiple biopsies are needed to make sure. Duodenal ulcers are generally benign.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Peptic ulcers tend to come back if untreated. Cure rates are high and recurrence is low, if patient is compliant to treatment.
Diagnosis
Chest X Ray
If a peptic ulcer perforates, air will leak from the inside of the gastrointestinal tract (which always contains some air) to the peritoneal cavity (which normally never contains air). This leads to "free gas" within the peritoneal cavity. If the patient stands erect, as when having a chest X-ray, the gas will float to a position underneath the diaphragm. Therefore, gas in the peritoneal cavity, shown on an erect chest X-ray or supine lateral abdominal X-ray, is an omen of perforated peptic ulcer disease.
Other Imaging Findings
An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), a form of endoscopy, also known as a gastroscopy, is carried out on patients in whom a peptic ulcer is suspected. By direct visual identification, the location and severity of an ulcer can be described. Moreover, if no ulcer is present, EGD can often provide an alternative diagnosis.
Treatment
Surgery
Perforated peptic ulcer is a surgical emergency and requires surgical repair of the perforation. Most bleeding ulcers require endoscopy urgently to stop bleeding with cauterizations or injection.
References
- ↑ "GI Consult: Perforated Peptic Ulcer". Retrieved 2007-08-26.