Histopathological spectrum of lesions of upper gastrointestinal tract – A study of endoscopic biopsies

Abstract

Background

The disorders of upper gastrointestinal tract are responsible for a great deal of

morbidity and mortality. Upper GI endoscopy in combination with biopsy plays

an important role in the exact diagnosis of these disorders for further

management.

Objectives

To study the histopathological spectrum of upper GI tract lesions.

Materials and Methods

A descriptive study was conducted on endoscopic biopsies of upper GI tract in a

tertiary care hospital over a period of 26 months from March 2011 to April

1.  

Results

Out of 196 endoscopic biopsies studied 129 were from male patients and 67

were from female patients. An age range of 19- 90 years was observed. There

were 50 (25.5%) cases from esophagus, 15(7.65%) cases from GE junction, 127 (64.8%) cases from stomach

and 4 (2.04%) cases from duodenum. 45(23%) cases were non-neoplastic, 52(26.5%) cases were benign

neoplasms while 99(50.5%) were malignant neoplasms. Histopathology revealed gastritis (38 cases) (84.4%)

as the most frequently diagnosed inflammatory lesion while adenocarcinoma stomach (45 cases) (45.9%)

comprised the most frequently diagnosed malignant lesion.

Conclusion

Endoscopy generates biopsy specimens from sites that were previously inaccessible without a major

resection. So a thorough knowledge of the spectrum of lesions that can be diagnosed in these specimens is

pertinent to make a proper diagnosis for better patient management.