Gastrophotography in Upper Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage Without Roentgenographically Demonstrable Source of Bleeding

Summary

A total of 120 cases bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract without roentgenographically demonstrable source of bleeding, have been examined with different gastrocameras. The source of bleeding was found in 66 cases and found with probability in 15 cases. Acute gastric ulcers or extensive erosions caused the bleeding in 28 cases. Peptic ulcers were found in 23 cases, of which 9 had ulcers close to the stoma in resected stomachs. The bleeding originated from gastric varices or phlebectasies in 9 cases, malignant gastric tumour in 4 cases and benign in 2 cases. Small mucosal lesions as punctuate bleedings and solitary erosions were the probable cause of bleeding in 10 cases. Varices were suspected in 2 cases and peptic ulcer in 1 case. Rejection of suture silk with small bleedings was found in 1 case and a polyp without visible active bleeding in 1 case. The group of 39 cases where no possible source of bleeding was found, included 1 case with a submucous malignant gastric tumour found on operation. The percentage of cases in which the source of bleeding was found, decreased from 88, if gastrophotography was performed within 5 days, to 24% when more than 15 days had passed since the onset of bleeding.

Key-Words

Gastrointestinal haemorrhage - normal roentgen findings - gastrophotography - gastrocamera - fibergastroscope