Stomach test procedure

Gastric examination procedure - Gastric examinations should be performed on an empty stomach whenever possible.

During endoscopic examinations, a thin fibre-optic device a few millimetres wide is swallowed after ingestion of a local anaesthetic liquid, through which the doctor can obtain an image of the Stomach from the inner surface of the stomach and take a histological sample of any lesions, or use ultrasound to examine the layers of the stomach wall and its surroundings (including the pancreas).

Endoscopic methods can also be used to perform therapeutic interventions (haemostasis, polyp removal, mucosal removal or laceration, dilation). In special cases, these examinations can also be performed in intravenous sedation.

During radiological examinations, a contrast agent is ingested, which makes the Stomach movement and certain abnormalities of the mucosa.

Some of the functional tests also involve swallowing thin devices through which resistance can be measured.

Isotope tests require imaging under a special isotope camera after ingestion of isotope-labelled test items or materials: painless but time-consuming tests.