Chronic Gastritis

Chronic gastritis is characterized by long-standing mucosal inflammation with lymphocytic infiltrates histologically. Causes include chronic infection, alchoholism, heavy tobacco use, and autoimmune disorders. Helicobacter pylori infection is more strongly associated with chronic gastritis than the acute form.

Patients typically present with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Pernicious anemia is not uncommon secondary to a lack of intrinsic factor production caused by mucosal atrophy and a loss of parietal cells. Chronic gastritis eventually leads to epithelial metaplasia, thereby predisposing to gastric carcinoma.

Radiographic Findings:

• Thinning or loss of rugal folds, particularly in the fundus ("bald fundus" sign); however, thickening may be seen in early chronic disease

• Widening or loss of the area gastricae

• Mucosal nodularity

• As in acute gastritis, erosive lesions may be appreciated

• Antral narrowing