DOUBLE-CONTRAST UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL BARIUM EXAMINATION WITH BIOPSYVERSUS ENDOSCOPY WITH BIOPSY IN DYSPEPTIC PATIENTS

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. The financial restrictions of the managed ca re environment require reconsideration of the barium upper gastrointes tinal examination as a diagnostic tool for gastritis patients, However , a greater sensitivity and specificity for gastritis is needed, A pro spective study was performed comparing barium examinations with gastri c biopsies to endoscopy with biopsy. METHODS. Forty adult patients und erwent upper gastrointestinal barium examination with gastric biopsies obtained under fluoroscopy through a nasogastric tube, Twenty-seven p atients gave consent for subsequent endoscopy with biopsy, Both sets o f biopsies were compared, as were the interpretations of the radiograp hs and visual appearances. RESULTS. For barium examinations with gastr ic biopsies, sensitivity for gastritis was 94% and specificity was 100 %, using endoscopic biopsies as the gold standard. CONCLUSIONS. In add ition to endoscopy with biopsy, the upper gastrointestinal barium exam ination with biopsy is another option of sufficient sensitivity and sp ecificity for consideration by clinicians in their workup of patients with gastritis.