Double-contrast barium examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract with nonendoscopic biopsy: findings in 100 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the performance of double-contrast barium examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract augmented with nonendoscopic gastric mucosal biopsy.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-six patients (aged 9-81 years) underwent double-contrast barium examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract and nasogastric biopsy. Pathology reports were recovered for 100 patients. These patients' records were searched for procedural complications, sufficiency of biopsy tissue, diagnoses among various age groups, and radiographic findings.


RESULTS
Forty-nine (49%) of the 100 patients had biopsy-proved Helicobacter pylori infection with chronic active gastritis. Twenty-one patients (21%) with H pylori-negative biopsy specimens had chronic gastritis. One patient with eosinophilic gastritis and one with granulomatous gastritis were identified. Twenty-nine patients (29%) had negative biopsy results. Nineteen (30%) of the patients with negative barium studies had a positive biopsy specimen, and four (6%) of the patients with positive barium studies had negative biopsy specimens. Eight patients (8%) had a second diagnosis of intestinal metaplasia.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of double-contrast barium examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract combined with nonendoscopic biopsy is quick and safe and can provide reliable histologic information to the primary care physician.
Bender
G N
GN
Department of Radiology, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA 98431, USA.
Makuch
R S
RS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D004064:Digestive System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004386:Duodenum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004733:Enema; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D005756:Gastritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D001466:Barium Sulfate