ACUTE GASTRIC MUCOSAL LESIONS PRODUCED BY AUGMENTED HISTAMINE TEST

Twenty patients were gastroscoped and subjected to suction biopsy of fundic mucosa under gastroscopic control before and after administration of augmented histamine stimulation preceded by an antihistamine. Prior to histamine administration, histologic changes diagnostic of erosive gastritis were noted in only 2 of 20 patients, and all gastroscopic examinations showed no erosions. Following the augmented histamine test, no overt hematemesis or melena has been noted in any of the patients. Of the 20 patients examined, severe mucosal hyperemia was seen on gastroscopic examination after histamine in 15, isolated acute gastric erosions in 10, diffuse erosions in 1, and overt intraluminal bleeding in 1. Significant histologic changes were noted 1/2-1 hr after histamine administration in gastric biopsy specimens. Of the 20 patients examined, 15 showed hemorrhage in the fundic neck and 17 in the lamina propria. The occurrence of erosions and mucosal hemorrhages was apparently not related to the acidity of the gastric secretion as these lesions were noted in patients with gastric anacidity and atrophic gastritis as well. © 1969 Hoeber Medical Division • Harper & Row, Publishers, Incorporation.