OGD Upper GI Scope

Know About

An upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at the interior lining of your esophagus your stomach, and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum) through a thin, flexible viewing instrument called an endoscope. The tip of the endoscope is inserted through mouth and then gently moved down the throat into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (upper gastrointestinal tract).

Since the entire upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract can be examined during this test, the procedure is sometimes called esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

Using the endoscope, your doctor can look for ulcers, inflammation, tumors, infection, or bleeding. Tissue samples can be collected (biopsy), polyps can be removed, and bleeding can be treated through the endoscope. Endoscopy can reveal problems that do not show up on X-ray tests, and it can sometimes eliminate the need for exploratory surgery.

Why It Is Done?

An upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy may be done to:

Find problems in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These problems can include:

Inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) or the stomach (gastritis).
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
A narrowing (stricture) of the esophagus.
Enlarged and swollen veins in the esophagus or stomach (varices).
Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that increases the risk for developing esophageal cancer.
Hiatal hernia.
Ulcers.
Cancer.
Find the cause of vomiting blood (hematemesis).

Find the cause of symptoms, such as upper abdominal pain or bloating, trouble swallowing (dysphagia), vomiting, or unexplained weight loss.
Find the cause of an infection.
Check the healing of stomach ulcers.
Look at the inside of the stomach and upper small intestine (duodenum) after surgery.
Look for a blockage in the opening between the stomach and duodenum (gastric outlet obstruction).

Endoscopy may also be done to:

Check for an esophageal injury in an emergency (for example, if the person has swallowed poison).
Collect tissue samples (biopsy) for examination in the laboratory.
Remove growths from inside the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine (gastrointestinal polyps).
Treat upper gastrointestinal bleeding, including bleeding caused by engorged veins in the esophagus (esophageal varices).
Remove foreign objects that have been swallowed.
Look for bleeding that may be causing a decrease in the amount of oxygen-carrying substance (hemoglobin) found in red blood cells (anemia).