The role of endoscopy in the management of upper gastrointestinal lesions in pediatric age

Abstract

In our study, we used our precious instruments m diagnosis and treatment of children with variety of upper gastrointestinal complaints. The majority of our study cases were infants (1 0 cases, 50%). Three cases in our study were in the preschool age group (15%). Seven cases were in school age and adolescent age group (35%). The majority of cases were males (14 cases, 70%). We had 6 females in our study (30%). The most common complaint was vomiting (16 cases, 80%), followed by dysphagia (13 cases, 65%). Hematemesis occurred in 8 cases (40%). In our study, we did laboratory and radiological investigations when indicated. By plain x-ray, we found two cases (10 %) of coin impaction at the upper esophagus. By contrast x-ray, we found 5 cases ( 25%)ofupper esophageal stricture, 3 cases (15 %) of lower esophageal stricture, 2 cases (1O%)of gastric outlet obstruction and one case( 5%) of GERD. By ultrasonography, a case (5%) of hematemesis showed hepatosplenomegaly. One case (5%) of gastric antrum mass was seen by C.T. scan. Endoscopically, we found esophageal stricture in 8 cases(40%), reflux esophagitis in 3 cases(15%), esophageal foreign body in 2 cases(1 0%) and esophagogastric varices in one case(5%). By endoscopic examination of the stomach, we found three cases(I 5%) of gastritis, one case(5%) of antral mass, one case(S%) of esophagogastric varices, one case(5%) of prepyloric ulcer and one case (5%) of post caustic gastric outlet obstruction. As regard intervention endoscopy, we did esophageal dilatation to 8 cases(40%), endoscopic biopsy in 5 cases(25%) and esophageal foreign body extraction in 2 cases(l 0%).