GI Endoscopy for UPSC CMS Aspirants: OGD, Colonoscopy and the Findings You Must Recognize

OGD Findings

Gastritis: Redness, erosions, mucosal friability.
Peptic ulcer: Benign (smooth edges, radiating folds) vs Malignant (heaped-up edges, irregular folds).
Duodenal ulcer: Anterior wall duodenal bulb (most common).
Barrett esophagus: Salmon-colored columnar epithelium above Z-line.
Esophageal varices: Dilated bluish veins. Sign of portal hypertension.

Colonoscopy Findings

Ulcerative colitis: Continuous from rectum. Pseudopolyps, loss of vascular pattern.
Crohn: Skip lesions, cobblestone mucosa, strictures.
Polyps: Tubular, tubulovillous, villous (highest malignant potential).
Carcinoma: Annular constriction, ulcerated mass, friable tissue.

ERCP/MRCP

Used for biliary and pancreatic duct imaging. ERCP is therapeutic too (stone extraction, stenting).