Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyDrug Reaction DataReferences

Information for Patients

View all Images (2)

Duodenal ulcer
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Duodenal ulcer

Contributors: Michael W. Winter MD, Khaled Bittar MD, Nishant H. Patel MD, Desiree Rivera-Nieves MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

A duodenal ulcer is a form of peptic ulcer disease. It is defined by a mucosal defect extending through the muscularis mucosa in the intestinal lining. Duodenal ulcers are at risk for eroding into blood vessels, leading to gastrointestinal bleeding.

NSAIDs are a common cause of duodenal ulcer. Mucosal injury due to chronic infection from Helicobacter pylori may be a cause. Smoking is a strong risk factor for developing ulcers. There are other much less common causes including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Patients can present with a variety of symptoms from duodenal ulcers. Epigastric abdominal pain and dyspepsia are most common. If eroded into a blood vessel, hematemesis, melena, or rarely bright red blood per rectum (if there is brisk bleeding) can be presenting symptoms.

Helicobacter pylori is a common worldwide infection predisposing to duodenal ulcers. Untreated, it is also a carcinogen associated with the development of gastric cancer.

Patients with concern for a duodenal ulcer, whether bleeding or not bleeding, should undergo an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to confirm the diagnosis.

Codes

ICD10CM:
K26.9 – Duodenal ulcer, unspecified as acute or chronic, without hemorrhage or perforation

SNOMEDCT:
51868009 – Duodenal ulcer disease

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential

Subscription Required

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

Drug Reaction Data

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Reviewed:05/23/2017
Last Updated:03/18/2020
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Patient Information for Duodenal ulcer
Print E-Mail Images (2)
Contributors: Medical staff writer
Premium Feature
VisualDx Patient Handouts
Available in the Elite package
  • Improve treatment compliance
  • Reduce after-hours questions
  • Increase patient engagement and satisfaction
  • Written in clear, easy-to-understand language. No confusing jargon.
  • Available in English and Spanish
  • Print out or email directly to your patient
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Duodenal ulcer
A medical illustration showing key findings of Duodenal ulcer : Nausea, Vomiting, Epigastric pain, Recurring episodes or relapses, Melena, Dyspepsia
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.