Differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding.
In this article, we review the many causes of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and discuss current strategies for rendering a specific diagnosis. Diagnostic tools considered in this review include: clinical assessment, upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, scintigraphy, and conventional arteriography as well as computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance angiography. An algorithm for the diagnostic work-up of the patient with GI bleeding is included.
Lee
Edward W
EW
Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
Laberge
Jeanne M
JM
D000465:Algorithms; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods