ERRONEOUS DIAGNOSIS OF HEMORRHAGE FROM ESOPHAGEAL VARICES

A selected series of 27 patients with varices demonstrated by both X-ray and endoscopy during active hemorrhage is reported. Only 5 of these patients were found to be bleeding from varices. Esophagoscopy is the only procedure which permits an exact diagnosis of bleeding varices. It should be used as early as possible to facilitate correct therapy and to preclude potentially hazardous therapeutic procedures. © 1969 Hoeber Medical Division • Harper & Row, Publishers, Incorporated.