You have had your endoscopy, the doctor has spoken to you, and now you are at home holding a printed report full of words like "antral erythema", "lax LES" and "RUT positive". It is natural to search each term online, and just as natural to end up more worried than before.
This guide explains the most common findings in plain language. One important point first: the same word can matter a lot or very little depending on your symptoms, age and history. Your doctor's explanation of your own report always comes first.
How the report is laid out
Most endoscopy reports follow the path of the scope. First the oesophagus (food pipe), then the stomach (often split into fundus, body and antrum), then the duodenum. After that comes the impression, a short summary, and then notes on any biopsies or tests taken and what to do next. If you only read one section, read the impression.
Findings in the oesophagus (food pipe)
Normal study or normal mucosa. Nothing abnormal was seen. Good news.
Reflux oesophagitis, LA grade A to D. Inflammation of the lower food pipe from acid reflux. The Los Angeles (LA) grading runs from A, small mild breaks, to D, extensive damage. Grade A is very common and usually settles with medicines and lifestyle changes. Grades C and D need longer treatment and sometimes a repeat test. See GERD.
Hiatus hernia. Part of the stomach sits above the diaphragm. Small ones are common and often harmless; larger ones make reflux worse.
Lax LES, incompetent GE junction or patulous cardia. All of these mean the valve at the bottom of the food pipe is loose, which allows acid to flow back up.
Suspected Barrett's oesophagus. A change in the lining after long-standing reflux. It is confirmed by biopsy and then needs periodic follow-up. Read about Barrett's oesophagus.
Oesophageal varices (small, medium or large). Swollen veins, usually a sign of liver disease. These need a plan from a gastroenterologist, and large ones may need treatment to prevent bleeding.
Candidiasis. White patches from a fungal infection, easily treated.
Findings in the stomach
Antral gastritis or pangastritis. Inflammation in the lower part of the stomach (antrum) or throughout (pan). Very common, often from H. pylori, painkillers or alcohol.
Erythema. Redness of the lining. On its own it is a mild finding and is often seen in people without symptoms.
Erosions. Shallow breaks in the lining, smaller and more superficial than ulcers. Common with painkillers.
Gastric ulcer. A deeper sore. Stomach ulcers are usually biopsied and rechecked after treatment to make sure they have healed fully.
Nodularity. A bumpy or cobblestone lining, sometimes seen with H. pylori infection.
Bile reflux. Yellow-green bile seen in the stomach. On its own this is usually not significant.
Polyp. A small growth. It may be removed or sampled, and the biopsy report will say what type it is.
Findings in the duodenum
Duodenitis. Inflammation of the first part of the small intestine, often with the same causes as gastritis.
Duodenal ulcer. Frequently linked to H. pylori and usually heals well once the infection is treated.
Scalloping or reduced folds. These can point to coeliac disease, which biopsies confirm.
RUT positive: what it means
RUT stands for rapid urease test. During the endoscopy, a tiny piece of the stomach lining is placed in a test kit. If the H. pylori bacterium is present, the colour changes, usually within a few hours.
RUT positive means H. pylori was found. It is common, and it is treatable with a course of antibiotics together with acid-reducing medicines, usually for 14 days. Take the full course even if you feel better. A few weeks after finishing, a urea breath test confirms the infection has gone.
RUT negative means the test did not detect H. pylori. If you were taking acid-reducing tablets or antibiotics just before the test, the result can be falsely negative, so tell the doctor about any recent medicines. More in our article on H. pylori infection.
"Biopsy taken" and the histopathology report
This simply means small samples were sent to the laboratory. Biopsies are routine; they are taken to confirm H. pylori, check inflammation, look for coeliac disease or make sure an ulcer or polyp is harmless. A biopsy does not mean cancer is suspected. The histopathology report usually arrives within a week. Our article on endoscopy biopsy explains more.
The pictures in your report
Most reports include a few photographs taken during the test. They are there to record what the doctor saw, and they help when comparing with a future endoscopy. Please don't try to diagnose yourself from the pictures; normal stomach lining can look surprisingly red, and real problems are not always obvious to an untrained eye. Bring the printed photos with you to any follow-up visit.
Questions worth asking about your report
It helps to go into the follow-up conversation with a few questions written down. These are the ones we find most useful:
- Does this finding explain my symptoms, or is something else going on?
- Were biopsies taken, and when will the results come?
- Do I need treatment, and for how long?
- Do I need a repeat endoscopy, and if so, when?
- Are there foods, drinks or medicines I should avoid?
- Which symptoms should make me come back sooner?
Keep a copy of every report and biopsy result in one folder or on your phone. If you ever see another doctor, or need a repeat test years later, comparing old and new findings is often the most useful thing they can do.
When you should see the doctor quickly
Please don't sit on the report if it mentions an ulcer, a mass or growth, large varices, Barrett's oesophagus, a stricture or active bleeding, or if you have ongoing symptoms such as black stools, vomiting blood, trouble swallowing or weight loss. Show it to a gastroenterologist soon.
Getting help with your report
If you have a report from anywhere and would like it explained, you can consult Dr. Shrihari Anikhindi online and share the report before the call, or book a clinic visit. If you are yet to have the test, start with our page on the endoscopy test.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shrihari Anikhindi, MBBS, MD, DNB (Gastroenterology), MRCP (SCE), gastroenterologist and advanced endoscopist at Medigest Gastro, Liver & Endoscopy Clinic, Delhi. This article is general information. Please talk to your own doctor about your health.