Endoscopic management of ulcer disease.

Endoscopy has revolutionized the management of digestive diseases in general and ulcer disease in particular. It allows the physician to view the pathologic process directly, and with biopsy and cytology techniques, to obtain histological samples. Endoscopy helped to usher in the field of minimally invasive therapy and endoscopic treatment of bleeding ulcers and is now a standard form of treatment. This overview is divided into three parts: first, the current diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic management of ulcer disease will be addressed; second, some of the current work that should have future applications in the same area will be discussed. Finally, some conceptual ideals that look further beyond future applications will be addressed.