Hypergastrinemia of antral origin in duodenal ulcer

A case of recurrent duodenal ulcer, basal gastric hypersection, and hypergastrinemia of antral origin is presented. The diagnosis was suggested preoperatively by stimulation tests with secretin and food. Billroth II antrectomy led to normalization of serum gastrin within half an hour. The gastrin content of the antral mucosa was not increased, neither was antral G-cell hyperplasia demonstrable. Postoperatively the basal gastric acid output and fasting serum gastrin levels were normal, without a postprandial increase in serum gastrin concentrations. The case does not support the existence of a specific disease called antral G-cell hyperplasia.