Double contrast upper gastrointestinal barium examination with biopsy versus endoscopy with biopsy in dyspeptic patients.
OBJECTIVE
The financial restrictions of the managed care environment require reconsideration of the barium upper gastrointestinal examination as a diagnostic tool for gastritis patients. However, a greater sensitivity and specificity for gastritis is needed. A prospective study was performed comparing barium examinations with gastric biopsies to endoscopy with biopsy.


METHODS
Forty adult patients underwent upper gastrointestinal barium examination with gastric biopsies obtained under fluoroscopy through a nasogastric tube. Twenty-seven patients gave consent for subsequent endoscopy with biopsy. Both sets of biopsies were compared, as were the interpretations of the radiographs and visual appearances.


RESULTS
For barium examinations with gastric biopsies, sensitivity for gastritis was 94% and specificity was 100%, using endoscopic biopsies as the gold standard.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to endoscopy with biopsy, the upper gastrointestinal barium examination with biopsy is another option of sufficient sensitivity and specificity for consideration by clinicians in their workup of patients with gastritis.
D000328:Adult; D001466:Barium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001706:Biopsy; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005756:Gastritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*
D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate