skip to main content
RadInfo Logo

Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) refers to bleeding in the upper part of the digestive system, to include the esophagus, stomach, and the beginning of the small intestine. The most common type is nonvariceal UGIB, which is bleeding not related to liver disease. The most common causes are an ulcer or nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug use, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Symptoms can be obvious, such as blood in vomit or stool, or hidden, seen only through stool or blood tests. To find the source of the bleeding, endoscopy is often done, where a thin tube with a camera is inserted into the body, usually through the mouth.

For initial diagnosis of UGIB without an endoscopy, CT angiography (CTA) of the abdomen and pelvis without and with intravenous (IV) contrast is usually appropriate. If endoscopy has shown the cause of bleeding but treatment is not possible, or if there is continued bleeding after endoscopic treatment, visceral arteriography (an x-ray scan of arteries in the abdomen with IV contrast) or CTA of the abdomen and pelvis without and with IV contrast is usually appropriate. When endoscopy has not revealed a clear cause, CTA of the abdomen and pelvis without and with IV contrast is usually appropriate. When endoscopy has not identified any bleeding, CT enterography (imaging of the small intestine with oral contrast) or CTA of the abdomen and pelvis without and with IV contrast is usually appropriate. When the known cause of bleeding is a recent surgery or injury and performing endoscopy is not safe, visceral arteriography or CTA of the abdomen and pelvis without and with IV contrast is usually appropriate.

 

This page was reviewed on October 17, 2025

Sponsored By

Please note

RadiologyInfo.org is not a medical facility. Please contact your physician with specific medical questions or for a referral to a radiologist or other physician. To locate a medical imaging or radiation oncology provider in your community, you can search the ACR-accredited facilities database.

This website does not provide cost information. The costs for specific medical imaging tests, treatments and procedures may vary by geographic region. Discuss the fees associated with your prescribed procedure with your doctor, the medical facility staff and/or your insurance provider to get a better understanding of the possible charges you will incur.

Web page review process: This Web page is reviewed regularly by a physician with expertise in the medical area presented and is further reviewed by committees from the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR), comprising physicians with expertise in several radiologic areas.

Outside links: For the convenience of our users, RadiologyInfo.org provides links to relevant websites. RadiologyInfo.org, RSNA and ACR are not responsible for the content contained on the web pages found at these links.