endoscopic features of duodenal ulcer

Last reviewed 03/2023

The endoscopic features of duodenal ulcer disease include:

  • almost always occurs in the pyloric channel and the first part of the duodenum - the duodenal bulb
  • benign ulcers generally have a regular outline; they appear to have been punched out of the wall of the duodenum, i.e. the margins of the ulcer are not 'heaped up' as is often seen in malignant ulcers. The base of a benign ulcer usually contains a white slough.
  • the mucosa surrounding an ulcer is relatively normal - radiating folds may be present due to fibrotic contractures.