The pyloric sphincteric cylinder remained partially contracted throughout the radiographic examination, with complete absence of normal, cyclical contraction and relaxation. Initially it was difficult to distinguish between a permanent, circumferential mucosal fold and a prepyloric septum. Endoscopy revealed prominent, thickened prepyloric mucosal folds with an abnormal, whitish, granular surface. Case J.M. Partial contraction of sphincteric cylinder, with absent cyclical activity.
Authors differ on the subdivision of gastritis into various types and grades.
It is agreed, however, that the diagnosis in the intact stomach can only be made by means of endoscopy, biopsy and microscopy. As the deeper layers of the wall are also involved in many instances, a full investigation would entail histologic examination of resection specimens. In these cases radiologically visible peristaltic waves in the corpus and sinus of the stomach appeared normal, but each wave stopped at the commencement of the partially contracted cylinder. In some cases the cylinder showed minor degrees of contraction and relaxation, but maximal cyclical contraction and relaxation at a rate of 3 cycles per minute was absent in all. It is surmized that cellular infiltration in the mucosa, submucosa, muscular layers and neuronal elements occurring in chronic gastritis, partially accounts for the restricted movements.