IV. The Radiological Features of Pernicious Anaemia

1. Seventy-one patients with pernicious anaemia were examined by barium swallow and meal. Their films were compared with films from a similar number of control patients matched for age. 2. Gastric atrophy was characterised by a small volume, tubular stomach, often with lack of folds in the fundus and a mucosal pattern in the body resembling crumpled tissue paper. 3. Thirty-eight patients showed radiological evidence of gastric atrophy and in a further 17 the appearances were strongly suggestive of gastric atrophy. 4. The radiological findings were correlated with the morbid anatomy of the stomach in pernicious anaemia. 5. Nine control patients showed radiological evidence of gastric atrophy. The significance of this is discussed. 6. The small intestine was examined by barium follow-through in 47 patients with pernicious anaemia and no abnormality was found. 7. Six pernicious anaemia patients were found to have gastric tumours; one polyp and five carcinomata; the significance of this is discussed. 8. The v...