Areae gastricae

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Areae gastricae are a normal finding on double contrast images of the stomach.

Radiographic features

  • fine reticular network of barium-coated grooves between 1-5 mm islands/areas of gastric mucosa
  • may be seen in ~70-80% of patients if there is adequate high-density barium coating of the stomach
  • more visible in older patients

Related pathology

Although a normal finding, some think that prominence of the areae gastricae indicates a thinning of the normal mucus layer (thus allowing barium to coat the fine channels between the areas of gastric mucosa). Some suggest that there may be an association between thinning of the normal mucus layer, coarsened-appearing areae gastricae, and hypersecretory gastropathy .

Small or absent area gastricae may be seen in atrophic gastritis .