Gastroscopy is an examination method used in gastrointestinal medicine (gastroenterology). A gastroscopy examines the upper gastrointestinal tract and is used in cases of disease of the oesophagus, upper abdominal pain, stomach and upper intestinal complaints (inflammation, infection, ulcers and tumours) and unexplained blood loss.
Under light anaesthesia, a tubular instrument (gastroscope) with a camera on its end is inserted into the patient's mouth or nose as far as the duodenum. This allows an inspection of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum and, if necessary, the direct removal of tissue samples.