In the clinic
Examination of the upper and lower
It is often necessary to examine the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, proximal jejunum, and colon for disease. After taking an appropriate history and examining the patient, most physicians arrange a series of simple blood tests to look for bleeding, inflammation, and tumors. The next steps in the investigation assess the three components of any loop of bowel, namely, the lumen, the wall, and masses extrinsic to the bowel, which may compress or erode into it.