A gastric ulcer is an erosion of the stomach lining that extends through the mucosa into deeper layers of the stomach wall. While endoscopy is the standard diagnostic method, ultrasound can sometimes detect findings associated with gastric ulcers, including focal wall thickening or a crater-like defect in the stomach wall when the stomach is adequately distended with fluid. Complications of gastric ulcers, such as perforation with free air and fluid in the abdomen, can be identified on ultrasound in emergency settings. Ultrasound is also useful in the follow-up of known gastric ulcers by assessing for complications and monitoring wall thickness over time.
Sonography Term