Visualization of areae gastricae on double-contrast upper gastrointestinalradiography: Relationship to age of patients

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the frequency of visualization of areae gastricae on double-contrast upper gastrointesti nal tract examinations is related to a patient's age. Materials and methods. A total of 141 double-contrast upper gastrointestina l tract examinations with normal findings were reviewed for the presence or absence of areae gastricae on double-contrast images of the stomach. All i mages were evaluated by two radiologists who were blinded to the age of the patients. The data were then analyzed to determine if the frequency of vis ualization of areae gastricae on double-contrast studies was significantly related to the age of patients. Results. The frequency of visualization of areae gastricae increased signif icantly with increasing age (p = 0.008). The youngest age group (20-29 year s old) exhibited areae gastricae in only four (19%) of 21 cases, whereas th e oldest age group (greater than or equal to 70 years old) exhibited areae gastricae in 19 (76%) of 25 cases. On average, the rate of visualization of areae gastricae on double-contrast studies increased by 9% per decade. Conclusion. Our data show that the frequency of visualization of areae gast ricae on double-contrast upper gastrointestinal tract examinations increase s significantly with increasing patient age. It is important for radiologis ts to be aware of the effect of aging on the delineation of areae gastricae on double-contrast studies.