According
to Kuipers and Blaser (2011) peptic ulcer is a distinct breach in the mucosal lining of the stomach
(gastric ulcer) or the first part of the small intestine (duodenal ulcer), a
result of caustic effects of acid and pepsin in the lumen.
to Kuipers and Blaser (2011) peptic ulcer is a distinct breach in the mucosal lining of the stomach
(gastric ulcer) or the first part of the small intestine (duodenal ulcer), a
result of caustic effects of acid and pepsin in the lumen.
Histologically,
peptic ulcer is identified as necrosis of the mucosa which produces lesions
equal to or greater than 0.5 cm (1/5 inch). It is the most common ulcer of
an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely
painful. Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common causes of peptic ulcer.
Ulcers can also be caused or worsened by drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and
other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Four times as many peptic ulcers arise in the
duodenum—the first part of the small intestine, just beyond the stomach—as in
the stomach itself. About 4% of gastric ulcers are caused by a malignant tumour,
so multiple biopsies are needed to exclude cancer. Duodenal ulcers are
generally benign (Haile, 2008).
duodenum—the first part of the small intestine, just beyond the stomach—as in
the stomach itself. About 4% of gastric ulcers are caused by a malignant tumour,
so multiple biopsies are needed to exclude cancer. Duodenal ulcers are
generally benign (Haile, 2008).
Brown
(2010) stated that the appearance of an ulcer can be either the classic erosive, concave,
crater-like ulcer (the image held by most patients) or convex, perhaps
resembling a colonic polyp. As a generalization, the erosive concave type tends
to be located in the stomach proper while the convex type tends to be found in
the pylorus/duodenum. These convex growths have an extensive variety of shapes
and forms, but in all forms the ulcer projects above the level of the
surrounding tissue. For extended periods these growths characteristically lack
any surface breaks in the mucosal tissue and also initially lack any visual
differentiation from the surrounding tissue even in larger sizes.
(2010) stated that the appearance of an ulcer can be either the classic erosive, concave,
crater-like ulcer (the image held by most patients) or convex, perhaps
resembling a colonic polyp. As a generalization, the erosive concave type tends
to be located in the stomach proper while the convex type tends to be found in
the pylorus/duodenum. These convex growths have an extensive variety of shapes
and forms, but in all forms the ulcer projects above the level of the
surrounding tissue. For extended periods these growths characteristically lack
any surface breaks in the mucosal tissue and also initially lack any visual
differentiation from the surrounding tissue even in larger sizes.
References
Brown, L.M. (2010). “Helicobacter pylori: epidemiology and routes of
transmission.”. Epidemiol. Rev. 22 (2): 283–97
transmission.”. Epidemiol. Rev. 22 (2): 283–97
Kuipers, E.J.
& Blaser, M.J. (2011). Acid Peptic Disease. Cecil Medicine.
24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier.
& Blaser, M.J. (2011). Acid Peptic Disease. Cecil Medicine.
24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier.
