Imaging of the upper gastrointestinal tract: endoscopy or radiology?

Diseases of the upper gastrointestinal system are very common in the modern word with an increasing frequency over recent years. Clinical symptoms are rather non-specific and may be the result of simple gastro-oesophageal reflux or an advanced malignant process. Historically, the investigation of upper gastrointestinal complaints was based on plain radiography and contrast studies. Now, a flexible oesophagogastroduodeno-scopy has become the primary imaging modality in patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Dynamic contrast studies and cross-sectional imaging remain the main diagnostic tests in certain pathological conditions and provide an additional and complementary information to endoscopy results.