Fiberoptic endoscopy and upper gastrointestinal series: comparative analysis in infants and children.

Fiberoptic endoscopy is a new and highly efficient diagnostic tool which is being increasingly used in the pediatric age group. Its use in children requires general anesthesia, special facilities, and technical expertise. We have compared the results of upper gastrointestinal barium studies and fiberoptic endoscopy in 75 cases. Results agreed in approximately two-thirds of the cases; in one-third there was disagreement. Superficial lesions in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum were most often missed by conventional barium studies. False positive radiologic reports were primarily related to the region of the duodenum.