[Endoscopy of duodenal ulcer: diagnosis and control of the disease course (author's transl)].

In 5040 consecutive endoscopies 672 duodenal ulcers were found. The experience with this series shows, that the direct endoscopic examination of the duodenal bulb represents a significant improvement for the diagnosis and control of the clinical course of the duodenal ulcer. Radiologic methods have not absolutely lost their diagnostic importance. However it may be frequently difficult to distinguish an acute from a healed lesion. The duodenoscopy is able to clarify this difficulty which is a reason for preferring the endoscopic examination for the diagnosis of duodenal ulcer.