Radiological investigations during and after upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures

Introduction: During and after performing diagnostic or interventional endoscopic procedures on the upper gastrointestinal tract, in order to establish an exact diagnosis, to measure any dysfunctions or recognize complications further imagistic examinations are required. The authors have analyzed what kind of imagistic investigations were needed in different cases of gastroscopy during a period of 10 years.

Discussion: In the Endoscopy Laboratory in 2007 upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations were performed in 2796 patients. Excepting cases of tumor staging (49 cases), further radiological examinations were needed in 89 patients (3,2%). During a period of ten years the needed chest-ray examinations number decreased from 44 to 13, and the number of contrast X-ray examinations decreased from 65 to 31. The CT examination number increased from 21 to 36. Though ten years ago endoscopic US were not accessible, during the analyzed year 9 cases required EUS after gastroscopy.

Conclusion: After performing endoscopic procedures on upper gastrointestinal tract in 3–4% of cases is necessary to carry on with further radiologic examinations (cases of tumor staging not included). In our material during the last 10 years the proportion and type of examinations varied depending of indications and expected results.