ROSH Gastrointestinal Practice Exam

A woman presents with abdominal pain and gastric epithelial inflammation visible on endoscopy. What is the most likely diagnosis?

1. Esophagitis

2. Gastritis

3. Pancreatitis

4. Peptic ulcer disease

The correct answer is: Gastritis

Gastritis is the inflammation of the gastric epithelium, and in the context of the presented symptoms—abdominal pain and visible gastric epithelial inflammation on endoscopy—this diagnosis aligns perfectly with the findings. The inflammation indicated during endoscopy confirms irritation or damage to the stomach lining, a hallmark of gastritis. The other conditions, while they can involve abdominal pain, do not typically present with gastric inflammation directly observable on endoscopy. Esophagitis primarily affects the esophagus, pancreatitis primarily involves the pancreas and is often associated with flank pain rather than gastric symptoms, and peptic ulcer disease involves ulcerations often deeper than just inflammation, typically presenting as perforations or erosions rather than simple inflammatory changes. Thus, the direct observation of gastric epithelial inflammation strongly supports the diagnosis of gastritis in this scenario.