Gastroscopy Health Dictionary

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Gastroscopy: From 1 Different Sources

Examination of the stomach using a type of endoscope inserted through the mouth. Although the term specifies examination of the stomach, the oesophagus and duodenum are alsoinspected during the procedure, which is more correctly known as (see oesophagogastroduodenoscopy). Gastroscopy, in which the patient is usually sedated, is used to investigate symptoms such as bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract and disorders of the oesophagus, stomach, or duodenum.

Attachments to the instrument enable a biopsy to be taken and treatments such as laser treatment to be carried out.

A gastroscope may also be used to ease the passage of a gastric feeding tube through the skin (see gastrostomy).

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association

Duodenitis

Inflammation of the duodenum (first part of the small intestine), producing vague gastrointestinal symptoms. The condition is diagnosed by oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (see gastroscopy) which is the examination of the walls of the upper digestive tract with a flexible viewing instrument. Treatment is similar to that for a duodenal ulcer (see peptic ulcer).... duodenitis

Abdominal Pain

Discomfort in the abdomen. Mild abdominal pain is common and is often due to excessive alcohol

intake, eating unwisely, or an attack of diarrhoea. Pain in the lower abdomen is common during menstruation but is occasionally due to a gynaecological disorder such as endometriosis. Cystitis is a common cause of pain or discomfort in the abdomen. Bladder distension as a result of urinary obstruction may also cause abdominal pain.

Abdominal colic is pain that occurs every few minutes as one of the internal organs goes into muscular spasm in an attempt to overcome an obstruction such as a stone or an area of inflammation. The attacks of colic may become more severe and may be associated with vomiting (see abdomen, acute).

Peptic ulcer often produces recurrent gnawing pain. Other possible causes of abdominal pain are infection, such as pyelonephritis, and ischaemia (lack of blood supply), as occurs when a volvulus (twisting of the intestine) obstructs blood vessels. Tumours affecting an abdominal organ can cause pain. Abdominal pain can also result from anxiety.

For mild pain, a wrapped hot-water bottle is often effective. Pain due to peptic ulcer can be temporarily relieved by food or by taking antacid drugs. Abdominal pain that is not relieved by vomiting, persists for more than 6 hours, or is associated with sweating or fainting requires urgent medical attention. Urgent attention is also necessary if pain is accompanied by persistent vomiting, vomiting of blood, or passing of bloodstained or black faeces. Unexplained weight loss or changes in bowel habits should always be investigated.

Investigation of abdominal pain may include the use of imaging tests such as ultrasound scanning, and endoscopic examination in the form of gastroscopy, colonoscopy, or laparoscopy.... abdominal pain

Achalasia

A rare condition of unknown cause in which the muscles at the lower end of the oesophagus and the sphincter (valve) between the oesophagus and the stomach fail to relax to let food into the stomach after swallowing. As a result, the lowest part of the oesophagus is narrowed and becomes blocked with food, while the part above widens. Symptoms include difficulty and pain with swallowing and pain in the lower chest and upper abdomen.

A barium swallow (a type of barium X-ray examination) and gastroscopy may be performed to investigate achalasia.

Oesophageal dilatation allows the oesophagus to be widened for long periods. Surgery to cut some of the muscles at the stomach entrance may be necessary. Achilles tendon The tendon that raises the heel. The Achilles tendon is formed from the calf muscles (gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantar muscles) and is attached to the calcaneus (heel-bone). Minor injuries to the Achilles tendon are common and can result in inflammation (tendinitis).

Violent stretching of the tendon can cause it to rupture; in such cases, surgical repair may be necessary.... achalasia

Gastric Erosion

A break in the surface layer of the membrane lining the stomach. A break deeper than this layer is called a gastric ulcer (see peptic ulcer).Gastric erosions occur in some cases of gastritis.

Many erosions result from ingestion of alcohol, iron tablets, or aspirin.

The physical stress of serious illness, such as kidney failure, or of burns may bring on an erosion.

Often there are no symptoms, but erosions may bleed, causing vomiting of blood or blood in the faeces.

Persistent loss of blood may lead to anaemia.

Gastric erosions are diagnosed by gastroscopy.

They usually heal in a few days when they are treated with antacid drugs and ulcer-healing drugs.... gastric erosion

Gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach lining. This may be acute or chronic. Acute gastritis may be caused by irritation of the stomach lining by drugs, usually aspirin or other NSAIDs; by alcohol; or by infection with a HELICOBACTER bacterium. Severe physical stress, such as burns or liver failure, can bring on gastritis. Chronic gastritis may be due to prolonged irritation of the stomach by alcohol, tobacco-smoking, or bile; by an autoimmune disorder that damages the stomach lining (see anaemia, megaloblastic); or by degeneration of the lining with age.

Symptoms include discomfort in the upper abdomen, nausea, and vomiting.

In acute gastritis, the faeces may be blackened by blood lost from the stomach; in chronic gastritis, slow blood loss may lead to anaemia (see anaemia, iron-deficiency).

Diagnosis is made with gastroscopy, during which a biopsy of the stomach lining may be performed.

Ulcer-healing drugs may be given.... gastritis

Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy

An examination of the upper digestive tract using an endoscope (see gastroscopy).... oesophagogastroduodenoscopy

Oesophagogastroscopy

Examination of the oesophagus and stomach using an endoscope (see gastroscopy).... oesophagogastroscopy

Oesophagoscopy

Endoscopic examination of the oesophagus (see gastroscopy).... oesophagoscopy

Dieulafoy’s Lesion

an abnormality of small blood vessels (microscopically, an arteriovenous malformation), identified predominantly in the mucosal lining of the upper stomach, that may cause severe spontaneous haemorrhage. It can rarely be found in the duodenum, colon, jejunum, or oesophagus. If detected endoscopically, curative therapy is often possible, although the abnormality is often difficult to see at gastroscopy. Surgical exploration may be required if the bleeding is unresponsive to endoscopic treatment. [G. Dieulafoy (1839–1911), French physician]... dieulafoy’s lesion

Linitis Plastica

(leather-bottle stomach) diffuse infiltration of the stomach submucosa with malignant tissue, producing rigidity, narrowing, and reduced luminal capacity. Endoscopic diagnosis may be difficult (typically the stomach does not distend during air insufflation at gastroscopy) but radiological changes are more marked.... linitis plastica

Pyloric Stenosis

Narrowing of the pylorus (the lower outlet from the stomach), which obstructs the passage of food into the duodenum. Pyloric stenosis occurs in babies due to thickening of the pyloric muscle, and in adults due to scarring from a peptic ulcer or stomach cancer. Babies start projectile vomiting (profuse vomiting in which the stomach contents may be ejected several feet) 2–5 weeks after birth. Ultrasound scanning is needed to confirm the diagnosis. In adults, diagnosis may be made by a barium X-ray examination and gastroscopy.In infants, surgical treatment involves making an incision along the thickened muscle.

In adults, surgery is carried out to correct the underlying cause.... pyloric stenosis

Stomach Cancer

A malignant tumour that arises from the lining of the stomach. The exact cause is unknown, but HELICOBACTER PYLORI infection is thought to be linked to increased incidence. Other likely factors include smoking and alcohol intake; diet may also play a part, in particular eating large amounts of salted or pickled foods. Pernicious anaemia, a partial gastrectomy, and belonging to blood group A also seem to increase the risk. Stomach cancer rarely affects people under 40 and is more common in men.

There may also be other symptoms indistinguishable from those of peptic ulcer.

Diagnosis is usually made by gastroscopy or by a barium X-ray examination.

The only effective treatment is total gastrectomy.

In advanced cases in which the tumour has spread, radiotherapy and anticancer drugs may prolong life.... stomach cancer

Gastroscope

n. an illuminated optical endoscope used to inspect the interior of the gullet (oesophagus), stomach, and duodenum. For many years these were rigid or semi-rigid instruments affording only limited views, but their modern counterparts are flexible instruments that house advanced digital systems to allow high-definition imaging of the oesophagus, stomach, and the proximal segments of the duodenum. Biopsies can be taken of visualized areas of mucosal abnormality, and therapeutic procedures (e.g. to stop a bleeding ulcer, remove a polyp, insert a *gastrostomy, dilate a stricture, or insert a self-expandable metal stent) may be performed. As the same instruments can usually be introduced into the duodenum they are also known as gastroduodenoscopes or oesophagogastroduodenoscopes. —gastroscopy n.... gastroscope

Haematemesis

n. the act of vomiting fresh blood. The blood may have been swallowed (e.g. following a nosebleed or tonsillectomy) but more often arises from bleeding in the oesophagus, stomach, or duodenum. Common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding are *oesophageal varices or peptic ulcers. Vomited blood needs to be replaced by transfused blood. Gastroscopy may identify the source of bleeding and enables endoscopic treatments to arrest it. These include adrenaline injection, thermocoagulation with a *heater-probe or by *argon plasma coagulation, band ligation of oesophageal varices, glue injection for gastric varices, and the placement of metallic clips (endoclips) on bleeding vessels.... haematemesis

Schatzki Ring

a ringlike constriction in the lower part of the gullet (oesophagus). The cause is unclear. Patients may be asymptomatic or experience episodic difficulty in swallowing. Diagnosis is made at gastroscopy or *barium swallow. Antisecretory agents and endoscopic balloon dilatation are reserved for symptomatic patients. [R. Schatzki (20th century), German-born US physician]... schatzki ring

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