Can we improve the diagnostic yield of small bowel video-capsule endoscopy?

Video-capsule endoscopy has revolutionized the examination of small bowel mucosa.However,this modality is relatively young and its diagnostic yield is low.Herein,we discuss different approaches to improve examination's diagnostic yield.There are strong data supporting some of them while there is speculation about the rest.As capsule endoscopy continues to evolve there is also a strong belief that technology will overcome at least some of the obst acles that hamper capsule endoscopy's diagnostic yield sometime in the near future.

Clinical and demographic features of patients undergoing videocapsule endoscopy management:A descriptive study

BACKGROUND Video-capsule endoscopy(VCE)is an efficient tool that has proven to be highly useful in approaching several gastrointestinal diseases.VCE was implemented in Colombia in 2003,however current characterization of patients undergoing VCE in Colombia is limited,and mainly comes from two investigations conducted before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic period.AIM To describe the characteristics of patients undergoing VCEs and establish the main indications,findings,technical limitations,and other outstanding features.METHODS A descriptive study was carried out using data from reports of VCE(PillCam SB3 system)use in a Gastroenterology Unit in Bogotá,Colombia between September 2019 and January 2023.Demographic and clinical variables such as indication for the VCE,gastric and small bowel transit times(GTT,SBTT),endoscopic preparation quality,and limitations were described[n(%),median(IQR)].RESULTS A total of 133 VCE reports were analyzed.Most were in men with a median age of 70 years.The majority had good preparation(96.2%),and there were technical limitations in 15.8%of cases.The main indications were unexplained anemia(91%)or occult bleeding(23.3%).The median GTT and SBTT were 14 and 30 minutes,respectively.The frequencies of bleeding stigma(3.79%)and active bleeding(9.09%)were low,and the most frequent abnormal findings were red spots(28.3%),erosions(17.6%),and vascular ectasias(12.5%).CONCLUSION VCE showed high-level safety.The main indication was unexplained anemia.Active bleeding was the most frequent finding.Combined with artificial intelligence,VCE can improve diagnostic precision and targeted therapeutic interventions.

Evaluation of Fujinon intelligent chromo endoscopy-assisted capsule endoscopy in patients with obscure gastroenterology bleeding

AIM:To investigate the potential benef it of Fujinon in-telligent chromo endoscopy(FICE)-assisted small bowel capsule endoscopy(SBCE)for detection and character-ization of small bowel lesions in patients with obscure gastroenterology bleeding(OGIB).METHODS:The SBCE examinations(Pillcam SB2,Giv-en Imaging Ltd)were retrospectively analyzed by two GI fellows(observers)with and without FICE enhance-ment.Randomization was such that a fellow did not assess the same examination with and without FICE enhancement.The senior consultant described f indings as P0,P1 and P2 lesions(non-pathological,intermedi-ate bleed potential,high bleed potential),which were considered as reference f indings.Main outcome mea-surements:Inter-observer correlation was calculated using kappa statistics.Sensitivity and specif icity for P2 lesions was calculated for FICE and white light SBCE.RESULTS:In 60 patients,the intra-class kappa cor-relations between the observers and reference f indings were 0.88 and 0.92(P2),0.61 and 0.79(P1),for SBCE using FICE and white light,respectively.Overall 157 le-sions were diagnosed using FICE as compared to 114 with white light SBCE(P = 0.15).For P2 lesions,the sensitivity was 94% vs 97% and specif icity was 95% vs 96% for FICE and white light,respectively.Five(P2 le-sions)out of 55 arterio-venous malformations could be better characterized by FICE as compared to white light SBCE.Significantly more P0 lesions were diagnosed when FICE was used as compared to white light(39 vs 8,P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:FICE was not better than white light for diagnosing and characterizing signif icant lesions on SBCE for OGIB.FICE detected signif icantly more non-pathological lesions.Nevertheless,some vascular le-sions could be more accurately characterized with FICE as compared to white light SBCE.

Imaging of the small bowel in Crohn's disease: A review of old and new techniques

The investigation of small bowel morphology is often mandatory in many patients with Crohn's disease. Traditional radiological techniques (small bowel enteroclysis and small bowel follow-through) have long been the only suitable methods for this purpose. In recent years, several alternative imaging techniques have been proposed. To review the most recent advances in imaging studies of the small bowel, with particular reference to their possible application in Crohn's disease, we conducted a complete review of the most important studies in which traditional and newer imaging methods were performed and compared in patients with Crohn's disease. Several radiological and endoscopic techniques are now available for the study of the small bowel; each of them is characterized by a distinct profile of favourable and unfavourable features. In some cases, they may also be used as complementary rather than alternative techniques. In everyday practice, the choice of the technique to be used stands upon its availability and a careful evaluation of diagnostic accuracy, clinical usefulness, safety and cost. The recent development ofinnovative imaging techniques has opened a new and exciting area in the exploration of the small bowel in Crohn's disease patients.