Illuminating the Antrum

Abstract

Atrophic gastritis consists of chronic inflammation and atrophy of the gastric mucosa. As the atrophy of gastric glands progresses, particularly in pernicious anemia, a heavy cellular infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells persists.¹ The circumstances leading to atrophic gastritis are not clear. Some cases begin as superficial gastritis, but in many the disease starts and progresses silently.² Although acute and chronic superficial gastritis are associated with peptic-ulcer disease, severe physical stress, ingestion of alcohol and salicylates or reflux of bile into the stomach (in benign gastric ulcer and after antrectomy), these factors are not commonly implicated in the pathogenesis of . . .