Gn. Bender et al., DOUBLE-CONTRAST UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL BARIUM EXAMINATION WITH BIOPSYVERSUS ENDOSCOPY WITH BIOPSY IN DYSPEPTIC PATIENTS, Investigative radiology, 30(6), 1995, pp. 329-333
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.