Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: expected post-procedural findings and adverse events

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Radiology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Increased use of outpatient upper gastrointestinal endoscopy leads to more post-procedural complications presenting to emergency departments (ED).
• Patients undergoing endoscopic procedures may return to the ED with concerning symptoms, necessitating accurate and timely diagnosis.
• Computed tomography (CT) is a common imaging modality for evaluating these complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a pictorial review of complications following upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
• To familiarize emergency radiologists with expected imaging findings and potential complications.
• To review optimal imaging protocols for various clinical scenarios.

Main Methods:

• Review of medical literature and imaging databases.
• Compilation of representative CT images of post-endoscopy complications.
• Discussion of common and rare complications and their imaging features.

Main Results:

• Endoscopy complications are diverse, ranging from mild to life-threatening.
• CT findings vary depending on the specific complication (e.g., perforation, bleeding, pancreatitis).
• Familiarity with imaging patterns aids in differentiating expected post-procedural changes from acute complications.

Conclusions:

• Emergency radiologists must be adept at interpreting CT scans in patients with a history of endoscopy.
• Recognizing imaging findings is crucial for the appropriate management of post-endoscopy complications.
• Standardized imaging protocols can enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient care.