Current status and perspectives of conventional radiological diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract.

In the last twenty years the basic gastro-intestinal diagnostic procedures have had to record increasing losses. This is why the study of these examin ations had becoming more and more endangered. From our experience and from literature review the question arises whether now or in future we can manag e without the basic gastrointestinal diagnostic procedures. The answer is t hat both for efficiency and for costs the continuation of these procedures does not appear acceptable. The preservation of the X-ray techniques of exa mination should be object of discussion and agreement between radiologists, clinicians, endoscopists, and economically experienced professionals in ad ministration. In order to meet the needs for urgent economic measures in ho spitals, the increased use of investigation with water-soluble contrast med ia seems unavoidable. Therefore the examination techniques should be adjust ed and optimised as described.