[Endoscopic examination in patients with acute corrosive gastritis]

Clinical significance of endoscopic examination in acute corrosive gastritis were evaluated. Serial endoscopic observations were made in men and rabbits with acute corrosive gastritis. The endoscopic findings were matched against the histological features. The most characteristic endoscopic finding was a brown coloration of the mucosa. Histologically, this corresponded to gangrenous mucosa which was accompanied by necrosis of the gastric wall throughout its entire thickness. When the brown coloration of the mucosa became extensive, chemical peritonitis was induced by the leakage of caustic solution through the wall of the stomach. The recognition of this brown coloration of the mucosa was often hampered by blood coagulo -adhering to the mucosa or brown coloration of the mucosa caused by hematin formation. The latter disappeared 3-6 days after the ingestion of corrosives. It was concluded that endoscopic examination in patients with acute corrosive gastritis should be performed to permit accurate recognition of brown coloration of the mucosa 4-7 days after the ingestion of corrosives.