title: Endoscopy versus x-ray studies of the gastrointestinal tract: future health care implications.
abstract: I did esophagogastroduodenoscopy in 147 patients and colonoscopy in 59 patients who had had gastrointestinal x-ray studies. The endoscopic procedure was done within 7 days after the x-ray study and/or while the patient was still symptomatic. The barium swallow findings were confirmed in only 40%; in the other 60%, the x-ray findings could not be confirmed. These unconfirmed x-ray findings were false-positive in 37.4%, false-negative in 16.3%, and suboptimal or nondiagnostic in 6.2%. The barium enema findings were confirmed in 32%. In the other 68%, the x-ray findings were false-positive in 42.3%, false-negative in 22%, and suboptimal in 3.3%. We conclude that in clinical or private practice, relying on x-ray studies alone may be associated with a high margin of diagnostic errors. When all factors are considered, the initial cost advantage of the x-ray studies appears to be lost. In future recommendations on the continuing dilemma of x-ray studies versus endoscopy, consideration should be given to factors other than the initial lower price of the x-ray studies.
authors.affiliation: Section of Digestive Diseases, Visalia Medical Clinic, CA 93291.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tabibian
mesh_terms: D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003113:Colonoscopy; D004064:Digestive System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004384:Duodenoscopy; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000191:economics; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D001466:Barium Sulfate