Narrowing of the pylorus (the lower outlet from the stomach), which obstructs the passage of food into the duodenum. Pyloric stenosis occurs in babies due to thickening of the pyloric muscle, and in adults due to scarring from a peptic ulcer or stomach cancer. Babies start projectile vomiting (profuse vomiting in which the stomach contents may be ejected several feet) 2–5 weeks after birth. Ultrasound scanning is needed to confirm the diagnosis. In adults, diagnosis may be made by a barium X-ray examination and gastroscopy. In infants, surgical treatment involves making an incision along the thickened muscle. In adults, surgery is carried out to correct the underlying cause.
Pyloric stenosis |
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