EFFICACY OF A PANENDOSCOPY IN DETECTING GASTRIC CARCINOMA

-ENDOSCOPIC OBSERVATION VERSUS PHOTOGRAPH -REVIEWING-

Abstract

Since 1975, we have started to utilize a panendoscope exclusively in the routine and precise endoscopic approaches to the disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract. And we have reported the efficacy of panendoscopy as a diagnostic procedure of the upper gastrointestinal tract disorders. The purpose of the present paper is to document the diagnostic capabilities of panendoscopy, especially of direct observation and photographreviewing from the viewpoint of detecting early gastric carcinoma. During the period from January 1979 to December 1984, 207 gastric carcinomas, including 84 early carcinomas in 81 patients, were disclosed by panendoscopy and biopsy. Among them, ten carcinomas, including nine early carcinomas, appeared endoscopically to be benign gastric diseases and four of these nine early carcinomas looked still like benign disorders even by the photograph-reviewing. Two minute carcinomas overlooked endoscopically were disclosed by the photograph-reviewing. Although direct endoscopic observation coupled with biopsy is important, photographs of good quality by the current panendoscope provide occasional informations to find overlooked gastric lesions by direct observation. We considered that a panendoscope is a satisfying instrument even as a gastroscope.