Gastroscopy in a West African rural mission hospital.

The results of 1075 fibreoptic gastroscopies performed in the Northwest Province of Cameroon are presented. Three hundred and fifty-three examinations showed pyloroduodenal ulcer disease, 111 showed macroscopic gastritis, and 37 had gastric carcinoma. Sixteen other diagnosis were made, with a positive finding in 620 cases. The benefits of the 'high-technology' gastroscope in a low technology setting are discussed. Included are examinations of a series of 46 patients with haematemesis and/or melaena, and 43 who had previous gastric surgery.