PubMed · 1301040
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L Slonim. 1992-10-19. Gastrointestinal endoscopy.. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1992.tb137370.x
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To detect and measure occult gastrointestinal bleeding, we have measured haemoglobin concentrations (by HemoQuant) in the clear fluid obtained after whole-gut lavage. In subjects with healthy gastrointestinal tracts, lavage-fluid haemoglobin concentrations were 0.5-5.1 mg/L, equivalent to daily blood loss of 0.1-1.1 mL. High concentrations were found for patients with colorectal cancer, severe diverticular disease, and rectal varices, in seven of sixteen patients with active inflammatory bowel disease, and in four patients with iron-deficiency anaemia thought to be due to gastrointestinal bleeding. In these four patients, estimated blood loss ranged from 2.6-24.5 mL per day. This method could have various research and clinical applications.
Our diagnostic approach to a patient with dysphagia begins with detailed history taking and physical examination. On the basis of findings, a radiographic and/or endoscopic study of the esophagus is done. We usually have barium-swallow radiography done initially, and if the radiographs are equivocal, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is performed. Manometric studies are reserved for patients with suspected motility disorders.
The single-contrast barium enema examination remains useful for patients with acute diseases such as bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, appendicitis, and fistulas. It is also the procedure of choice for those patients who are too elderly, debilitated, or ill to cooperate with the maneuvers necessary for a double-contrast examination. The double-contrast technique is more sensitive than the single-contrast technique for detection of polyps, early inflammatory bowel disease, and lesions of the rectum. In the older population, there has been an increase in the incidence of colonic polyps and carcinomas in the right side of the colon. This emphasizes the need to examine the entire colon in these patients. The double-contrast barium enema is a safe, accurate, and cost-effective tool for accomplishing this. It is also recommended as the initial procedure in the examination of patients with positive results on fecal occult blood testing.