[The degree of reliability in endoscopic diagnosis]

The histological ascertainment of pathological lesions is one of the most essential advantages and tasks of endoscopy. Of 1,808 patients who underwent endoscopy (oesophago-gastro-bulboscopy) in 620 present results of cellular investigations we could compare with the macroscopic estimation of the findings. 222 times out of 288 patients (77.1%) the diagnosis made--inflammation--could be histologically confirmed. Of 190 malignant tumours the result of this investigation is present for 172 patients. In 29.1% a histological confirmation (exclusive biopsy) could at first not be achieved. Macroscopic estimations of the findings alone are not sufficient, the histologic verification is not in every case at once achievable.