upper GI endoscopy

upper GI endoscopy

A procedure, in which a fiberoptic endoscope–esophagogastroduodenoscope is inserted by mouth and the mucosa of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and proximal jejunum are examined for ulceration, polyps, bleeding sites, strictures, and other changes; at the time of the procedure, suspicious lesions may be sampled and the specimens submitted for culturing or microscopic analysis of cells, tissues, or fluids Indications UGE is used to evaluate acute upper GI bleeding–eg, of the esophagus in cirrhosis, dysphagia–which may be due to strictures, dyspepsia, esophageal pain, and evaluate changes seen by an upper GI study, to identify causes of the gastric outlet syndrome, and to monitor premalignant conditions–eg, Barrett's esophagus, lye-induced strictures; 'low-yield' indications for upper GI endoscopy include atypical chest pain, abdominal pain of unknown origin. Cf Upper GI study.