Small intestinal lipomas:Diagnostic value of multi-slice CT enterography

AIM:To analyze the clinical and imaging features of the small intestinal lipomas and to evaluate the diagnostic value of multi-slice computed tomography(CT) enterography.METHODS:Fourteen cases(one had two intestinal lesions) of surgically confirmed lipomas of the small intestine were retrospectively analyzed.The location,size,clinical and radiological aspects were discussed.RESULTS:Twelve patients presented with abdominal pain,of whom three complained of paroxysmal colic.Melena or bloody stools was mentioned in five cases.One lesion was detected incidentally during routine physical examination.One lesion was found unexpectedly during the preoperational evaluation for cholecystitis.Examination of the abdomen revealed palpable masses in four cases.Precontrast CT scan showed round or oval well-defined hypo-intense intraluminal masses with the attenuation ranging from-130 HU to-60 HU.On contrast enhancement CT scan,no striking enhancement was seen.CONCLUSION:The small intestinal lipomas are rare and difficult to diagnose merely based on clinical manifestations,while the characteristic features at small intestinal CT enterography can help establish reliable prospective diagnoses.

Retrieval-balloon-assisted enterography for ERCP after Billroth Ⅱ gastroenterostomy and Braun anastomosis

AIM: To describe an optimal route to the Braun anastomosis including the use of retrieval-balloon-assisted enterography.METHODS: Patients who received a Billroth Ⅱ gastroenterostomy(n = 109) and a Billroth Ⅱ gastroenterostomy with Braun anastomosis(n = 20) between January 2009 and May 2013 were analyzed in this study. Endoscopic ret-rograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) was performed under fluoroscopic control using a total length of 120 cm oblique-viewing duodenoscope with a 3.7-mm diameter working channel. For this procedure, we used a triplelumen retrieval balloon catheter in which a 0.035-inch guidewire could be inserted into the "open-channel" guidewire lumen while the balloon could be simultaneously injected and inflated through the other 2 lumens.RESULTS: For the patients with Billroth Ⅱ gastroenterostomy and Braun anastomosis, successful access to the papilla was gained in 17 patients(85%) and there was therapeutic success in 16 patients(80%). One patient had afferent loop perforation, but postoperative bleeding did not occur. For Billroth Ⅱ gastroenterostomy, there was failure in accessing the papilla in 15 patients(13.8%). ERCP was unsuccessful because of tumor infiltration(6 patients), a long afferent loop(9 patients), and cannulation failure(4 patients). The papilla was successfully accessed in 94 patients(86.2%), and there was therapeutic success in 90 patients(82.6%). Afferent loop perforation did not occur in any of these patients. One patient had hemorrhage 2 h after ERCP, which was successfully managed with conservative treatment.CONCLUSION: Retrieval-balloon-assisted enterography along an optimal route may improve the ERCP success rate after Billroth Ⅱ gastroenterostomy and Braun anastomosis.

Video capsule endoscopy and CT enterography in diagnosing adult hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

Primary adult hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is a rare but important cause of gastric outlet obstruction that may be misdiagnosed as idiopathic gastroparesis.Clinically,patients present with early satiety,abdominal fullness,nausea,epigastric discomfort and eructation.Permanent gastric retention of a video capsule endoscope is diagnostic in differentiating between the two diseases,in the absence of an organic gastric outlet obstruction.This case presents the longest video capsule retention in the medical literature to date.It is also the first case report of adult hypertrophic pyloric stenosis diagnosed with video capsule endoscopy or a computed tomography scan.Finally,an unusual"plugging"of the gastric outlet with free floating capsule has an augmented effect on disease physiology and on patient’s symptoms.

Meckel's diverticulum bleeding diagnosed with magnetic resonance enterography:A case report

Although the introduction of double-balloon enteroscopy has greatly improved the diagnostic rate, definite diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum far from the ileocecal valve is still impossible in most cases. We explored the role of magnetic resonance (MR) enterography in detecting bleeding from Meckel's diverticulum that can not be confirmed via double-balloon enteroscopy. This study describes a case of male patient with bleeding from Meckel's diverticulum diagnosed with MR enterography of the small intestine. No bleeding lesion was found via colonoscopy, anal enteroscopy, or oral colonoscopy. MR enterography of the small intestine revealed an occupying lesion of 3.0 cm in the lower segment of the ileum. The patient was transferred to the Department of Abdominal Surgery of our hospital for surgical treatment. During surgery, a mass of 3 cm × 2 cm was found 150 cm from the ileocecal valve, in conjunction with congestion and edema of the corresponding mesangium. Intraoperative diagnosis was small bowel diverticulum with bleeding. The patient underwent partial resection of the small intestine. Postopera-tive pathology showed Meckel's diverticulum containing pancreatic tissues. He was cured and discharged 7 d after operation. We conclude that MR enterography of the small intestine has greatly improved the diagnosis rate of Meckel's diverticulum, particularly in those patients with the disease which can not be confirmed via double-balloon enteroscopy.

Comparison of the use of wireless capsule endoscopy with magnetic resonance enterography in children with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) and wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) are equally accepted modalities for noninvasive screening of small bowel involvement (SBI) in children with Crohn’s disease (CD) and indeterminate colitis (IC) albeit there is a paucity of data comparing the two and thereby guiding the clinician in selecting the ideal diagnostic approach. Therefore, the goal of this study is to provide additional evidence for capsule endoscopy role in the evaluation of established Crohn’s disease exacerbation compared to MRE in relation to Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI), and histological indices. AIM To prospectively compare the findings of MRE and WCE and their agreement with PCDAI or histology in children with CD or IC. METHODS Consecutive patients diagnosed with CD and IC were screened for inclusion. After informed consent, patient’s demographic and clinical data was abstracted. The current pediatric disease activity index (PCDAI) and endoscopic findings were included. Patients underwent MRE and WCE including preprocedural patency capsule within a maximum of 7 d of each other. Pathological presence of active small bowel disease in ileal and duodenal biopsies were collected if the endoscopy was performed within 2 mo of the WCE study. Patients who failed to pass the PC were excluded from the study. WCE was read by two different experienced gastroenterologists (Attard TM and Colombo JM) blinded to each other's findings and to the findings on MRE (Mardis NJ). Agreement between WCE reviewers, WCE and MRE findings and concordance between positive PCDAI and SBI based on MRE compared with WCE was computed. RESULTS Forty-five patients were included in the study, 18 withdrew and 27 (20 males and 20 CD), mean age (standard deviation) 13.46 (2.4) years, completed the study protocol. There were no instances of capsule retention. Concordance between gastroenterologist reviewers was excellent for the diagnosis of small intestinal CD with good correlation between the two Lewis scores (r=0.875, P<0.001). Concordance between WCE and MRE was poor (69%). In CD patients, when both MRE and WCE were compared using PCDAI>10 as the standard reference reflecting active small intestinal CD, the sensitivity of MRE and WCE were 100% and 83% respectively and the specificity of MRE and WCE were 57.14% and 78.6%, respectively. If the histology in ileum or/and duodenum was used as the reference for active small bowel involvement, WCE had a higher specificity as compared to MRE (83.3% vs 50%). In patients with Crohn’s disease, those with a positive PCDAI (>10) were more likely to have a positive WCE as compared to those with a negative PCDAI (83% vs 21%;P=0.018). CONCLUSION We suggest that MRE and WCE have a complementary role in the assessment of SBI in CD. WCE detected SBI with a much higher specificity while MRE had a higher sensitivity.

Magnetic resonance enterography in Crohn’s disease: Standard and advanced techniques

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects mainly young people. The clinical management is based on the Crohn's Disease Activity Index and especially on biologic parameters with or without additional endoscopic and imaging procedures, such as barium and computed tomography examinations. Recently, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been a promising diagnostic radiologic technique with lack of ionizing radiation, enabling superior tissue contrast resolution due to new pulse-sequence developments. Therefore, MR enterography has the potential to become the modality of choice for imaging the small bowel in CD patients.

Magnetic resonance enterography in Crohn's disease: How we do it and common imaging findings

Crohn's disease(CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, with unpredictable clinical course by phases of relapses alternating with other of quiescence. The etiology is multifactorial and is still not completely known; globally the westernization of lifestyle is causing an increasing incidence of CD, with peak age of 20-30 years. The diagnostic workup begins with the evaluation of the clinical history, physical examination and laboratory tests. However, the clinical assessment is subjected interobserver variability and, occasionally, the symptoms of acute and chronic inflammation may be indistinguishable. In this regards, the role of magnetic resonance(MR) enterography is crucial to determine the extension, the disease activity and the presence of any complications without ionizing radiations, making this method very suitable for young population affected by CD. The purpose of this review article is to illustrate the MR enterography technique and the most relevant imaging findings of CD, allowing the detection of small bowel involvement and the assessment of disease activity.

Magnetic resonance enterography in refractory iron deficiency anemia:A pictorial overview

AIM:To highlight magnetic resonance enterography(MRE) for diagnosis of patients with refractory iron deficiency anemia and normal endoscopy results.METHODS:Fifty-three patients diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia refractory to treatment and normal gastroscopy and colonoscopy results were admitted to this prospective study between June 2013 and December 2013. All patients underwent a standardized MRE examination with a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging system using two six-channel phased-array abdominal coils. Adequate bowel distention and fast imaging sequences were utilized to achieve diagnostic accuracy. All segments of the small bowel,duodenum,jejunum,and ileum were examined in detail. All cases were examined independently by two radiologists with > 5 years of experience in abdominal magnetic resonance imaging. A consensus reading was performed for each patient following image examination. Both radiologists were blinded to patient history,laboratory findings,and endoscopy results.RESULTS:Twenty(37.7%) male and 33(62.3%) female patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 52.2 ± 13.6 years(range:19-81 years,median 51.0). The age difference between the male and female patient groups was not statistically significant(54.8 ± 16.3 years vs 50.7 ± 11.7 years). MRE results were normal for 49 patients(92.5%). Four patients had abnormal MRE results. One patient with antral thickening was diagnosed with antral gastritis in the second-look gastroscopy. One patient had focal wall thickening in the 3rd and 4th portions of the duodenum. The affected areas were biopsied in a subsequent duodenoscopy,and adenocarcinoma was diagnosed. One patient had a fistula and focal contrast enhancement in the distal ileal segments,consistent with Crohn's disease. One patient had focal wall thickening with luminal narrowing in the mid-jejunum that was later biopsied during a double-balloon enteroscopy,and lymphoma was diagnosed.CONCLUSION:MRE is a non-invasive and effective alternative for evaluating possible malignancies of the small intestines and can serve as a guide for a secondlook endoscopy.

Motility index measured by magnetic resonance enterography is associated with sex and mural thickness

BACKGROUND Recently,a technique has been developed to use magnetic resonance enterography(MRE)for the evaluation of small bowel motility.The hypothesis was that assessment of the motility index(MI)should reflect differences in motility between clinical conditions.AIM To aim of the present observational,cross-sectional study was to evaluate the use of the MI in daily clinical practice.METHODS All consecutive patients aged 18-70 years who were referred for MRE at the Department of Radiology during a 2-year period were asked to participate.Healthy volunteers were included as controls.MRE was prepared and conducted in accordance with clinical routines.On the day of examination,all the participants had to complete the visual analog scale for irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)and IBS-symptom severity scale.Maps of MI were calculated from dynamic MR images.ANOVA was used to evaluate differences in MI between groups,classified as healthy,Crohn’s disease,ulcerative colitis,IBS,other assorted disorders and dysmotility.Logistic and linear regression were applied to the MI values.All medical records were scrutinized for medical history.RESULTS In all,224 examinations were included(inclusion prevalence 76.3%),with 22 controls and 202 patients.There was a significant difference in the MI of the jejunum(P=0.021)and terminal ileum(P=0.007)between the different groups.The MI was inversely associated with the mural thickness of the terminal ileum in men(P<0.001)and women(P=0.063)after adjustments,and tended to be lower in men than in women(P=0.056).Subjectively observed reduction of motility on MRI was accomplished by reduced MI of terminal ileum in men(P<0.001)and women(P=0.030).In women,diarrhea was inversely associated with the MI of the jejunum(P=0.029),and constipation was positively associated with the MI of the terminal ileum(P=0.039).CONCLUSION Although MIs differ across diseases,a lower MI of the terminal ileum is mainly associated with male sex and an increased mural thickness.Symptoms are weakly associated with the MI.

Comparative study between bowel ultrasound and magnetic resonance enterography among Egyptian inflammatory bowel disease patients

BACKGROUND Bowel ultrasound and magnetic resonance enterography(MRE)are decisive medical imaging modalities for diagnosing and locating bowel lesions with its extramural extent and complications.They assess the degree of activity,help clinicians to identify patients in need of surgery,and can be used for patient follow-up.AIM To compare the role of MRE and bowel ultrasound in diagnosis and follow-up of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)patients in Egypt.METHODS The study was conducted on 40 patients with IBD.All patients were subjected to clinical assessment,laboratory investigations,bowel ultrasound,MRE,and colonoscopy up to the terminal ileum with biopsies for histopathological examination.RESULTS This study was conducted on 14 patients(35%)with ulcerative colitis and 26 patients(65%)with Crohn's disease;34(85%)of these patients had active disease.Bowel ultrasound detected different bowel lesions with the following accuracies:ileum(85%),large bowel(70%),fistula(95%),stricture and proximal dilatation(95%)and abscesses(100%).Also,it showed that statistically significance of bowel ultrasound in differentiation between remission and activity of IBD in comparison to MRE and colonoscopy.CONCLUSION In comparison to MRE,bowel ultrasound is a useful,non-invasive,and feasible bedside imaging tool for the detection of inflammation,detection of complications,and follow-up of IBD patients when performed by the attending physician.

Current tecniques and new perpectives research of magnetic resonance enterography in pediatric Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease affects more than 500000 individuals in the United States, and about 25% of cases are diagnosed during the pediatric period. Imaging of the bowel has undergone dramatic changes in the past two decades. The endoscopy with biopsy is generally considered the diagnostic reference standard, this combination can evaluates only the mucosa, not inflammation or fibrosis in the mucosa. Actually, the only modalities that can visualize submucosal tissues throughout the small bowel are the computed tomography(CT) enterography(CTE) with the magnetic resonance enterography(MRE). CT generally is highly utilized, but there is growing concern over ionizing radiation and cancer risk; it is a very important aspect to keep in consideration in pediatric patients. In contrast to CTE, MRE does not subject patients to ionizing radiation and can be used to detect detailed morphologic information and functional data of bowel disease, to monitor the effects of medical therapy more accurately, to detect residual active disease even in patients showing apparent clinical resolution and to guide treatment more accurately.

Study on the role of magnetic resonance enterography in valuating infliximab therapy in small bowel crohn's disease

Objective:To investigate the role of magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) in valuating infliximab's (IFX)curative effect in active small bowel Crohn's Disease (CD).Methods:27 patients diagnosed as active CD were treated with IFX. Before and after the treatment, the patients were scanned with 3.0 T MRE after small intestinal preparation. The imaging characteristic was analyzed and the relevance analysis between the imaging performance and the clinical score were investigated.Results: (1) Before IFX treatment, MRE could clearly detect the intestinal wall and extra luminal lesion in active CD, including intestinal wall multiple segmental thickening and abnormal enhancement, irregular signaling, comb sign, and intestinal stricture or dilation;(2) After IFX treatment, MRE show that intestinal wall thinning and the dilated bowel lumen were improved, and the comb sign disappeared;(3) During artery phase, the signal of the intestinal lesion was improved from high signal or equal signal before the IFX treatment to equal signal or low signal after treatment (P<0.05). During vein phase, there was no significant change of lesion signal before and after treatment (P>0.05).4. the changes of imaging performance were consistant with that of the clinical score (P>0.05). Conclusions: MRE possesses clinical value in evaluating the IFX curative effect in active small bowel CD.

Differentiating Crohn's disease from intestinal tuberculosis

Differentiating Crohn's disease(CD) and intestinal tuberculosis(ITB) has remained a dilemma for most of the clinicians in the developing world, which are endemic for ITB, and where the disease burden of inflammatory bowel disease is on the rise. Although, there are certain clinical(diarrhea/hematochezia/perianal disease common in CD; fever/night sweats common in ITB), endoscopic(longitudinal/aphthous ulcers common in CD; transverse ulcers/patulous ileocaecal valve common in ITB), histologic(caseating/confluent/large granuloma common in ITB; microgranuloma common in CD), microbiologic(positive stain/culture for acid fast-bacillus in ITB), radiologic(long segment involvement/comb sign/skip lesions common in CD; necrotic lymph node/contiguous ileocaecal involvement common in ITB), and serologic differences between CD and ITB, the only exclusive features are caseation necrosis on biopsy, positive smear for acid-fast bacillus(AFB) and/or AFB culture, and necrotic lymph node on cross-sectional imaging in ITB. However,these exclusive features are limited by poor sensitivity, and this has led to the development of multiple multi-parametric predictive models. These models are also limited by complex formulae, small sample size and lack of validation across other populations. Several new parameters have come up including the latest Bayesian meta-analysis, enumeration of peripheral blood T-regulatory cells, and updated computed tomography based predictive score. However, therapeutic anti-tubercular therapy(ATT) trial, and subsequent clinical and endoscopic response to ATT is still required in a significant proportion of patients to establish the diagnosis. Therapeutic ATT trial is associated with a delay in the diagnosis of CD, and there is a need for better modalities for improved differentiation and reduction in the need for ATT trial.

ERCP for patients who have undergone Billroth Ⅱ gastroenterostomy and Braun anastomosis

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)is efficacious in patients who have undergone Billroth Ⅱ gastroenterostomies,but the success rate decreases in patients who also have experienced Braun anastomoses.There are currently no reports describing the preferred enterography route for cannulation in these patients.We first review the patient’s previous surgery records,which most often indicate that the efferent loop is at the greater curvature of the stomach.We recommend extending the duodenoscope along the greater curvature of the stomach and then advancing it through the"lower entrance"at the site of the gastrojejunal anastomosis,along the efferent loop,and through the"middle entrance"at the site of the Braun anastomosis to reach the papilla of Vater.Ten patients who had each undergone BillrothⅡgastroenterostomy and Braun anastomosis between January 2009 and December 2011 were included in our study.The overall success rate of enterography was 90% for the patients who had undergone BillrothⅡgastroenterostomy and Braun anastomosis,and the therapeutic success rate was 80%.We believe that this enterography route for ERCP is optimal for a patient who has had BillrothⅡgastroenterostomy and Braun anastomosis and helps to increase the success rate of the procedure.

Potential model for differential diagnosis between Crohn's disease and primary intestinal lymphoma

AIM To evaluate the usefulness of different parameters to differentiate Crohn's disease(CD) from primary intestinal lymphoma(PIL).METHODS The medical records of 85 patients with CD and 56 patients with PIL were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, and computed tomographic enterography(CTE) parameters were collected. The univariate value of each parameter was analyzed. A differentiation model was established by pooling all the valuable parameters. Diagnostic efficacy was analyzed, and a receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was plotted.RESULTS The demographic and clinical parameters that showed significant values for differentiating CD from PIL included age of onset, symptom duration, presence of diarrhea, abdominal mass, and perianal lesions(P < 0.05). Elevated lactate dehydrogenase and serum β2-microglobulin levels suggested a PIL diagnosis(P < 0.05). The endoscopic parameters that showed significant values for differentiating CD from PIL included multiple-site lesions, longitudinal ulcer, irregular ulcer,and intraluminal proliferative mass(P < 0.05). The CTE parameters that were useful in the identification of the two conditions included involvement of ≤ 3 segments, circular thickening of the bowel wall, wall thickness > 8 mm, aneurysmal dilation, stricture with proximal dilation, "comb sign", mass showing the "sandwich sign", and intussusceptions(P < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the differentiation model were 91.8%, 96.4%, 93.6%, 97.5%, and 88.5%, respectively. The cutoff value was 0.5. The area under the ROC curve was 0.989.CONCLUSION The differentiation model that integrated the various parameters together may yield a high diagnostic efficacy in the differential diagnosis between CD and PIL.

Diagnostic imaging and radiation exposure in inflammatorybowel disease

Diagnostic imaging plays a key role in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD). However due to the relapsing nature of IBD, there is growing concern that IBD patients may be exposed to potentially harmful cumulative levels of ionising radiation in their lifetime, increasing malignant potential in a population already at risk. In this review we explore the proportion of IBD patients exposed to high cumulative radiation doses, the risk factors associated with higher radiation exposures, and we compare conventional diagnostic imaging with newer radiation-free imaging techniques used in the evaluation of patients with IBD. While computed tomography(CT) performs well as an imaging modality for IBD, the effective radiation dose is considerably higher than other abdominal imaging modalities. It is increasingly recognised that CT imaging remains responsible for the majority of diagnostic medical radiation to which IBD patients are exposed. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and small intestine contrast enhanced ultrasonography(SICUS) have now emerged as suitable radiation-free alternatives to CT imaging, with comparable diagnostic accuracy. The routine use of MRI and SICUS for the clinical evaluation of patients with known or suspected small bowel Crohn's disease is to be encouraged wherever possible. More provision is needed for out-of-hours radiation-free imaging modalities to reduce the need for CT.

Continuing challenges in the diagnosis and management of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

The diagnosis and management of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding(OGIB) have changed dramatically since the introduction of video capsule endoscopy(VCE) followed by deep enteroscopy and other imaging technologies in the last decade. Significant advances have been made, yet there remains room for improvement in our diagnostic yield and treatment capabilities for recurrent OGIB. In this review, we will summarize the latest technologies for the diagnosis of OGIB, limitations of VCE, technological enhancement in VCE, and different management options for OGIB.

Ileal duplication mimicking intestinal intussusception:A congenital condition rarely reported in adult

Intestinal duplication is an uncommon congenital condition in young adults.A 25-year-old man complained of chronic,intermittent abdominal pain for 3 years following previous appendectomy for the treatment of suspected appendicitis.Abdominal discomfort and pain,suggestive of intestinal obstruction,recurred after operation.A tubular mass was palpable in the right lower quadrant.Computed tomography enterography scan identified suspicious intestinal intussusception,while Tc-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy revealed a cluster of strip-like abnormal radioactivity in the right lower quadrant.On exploratory laparotomy,a tubular-shaped ileal duplication cyst was found arising from the mesenteric margin of the native ileal segment located 15 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve.Ileectomy was performed along with the removal of the duplication disease,and the end-to-end anastomosis was done to restore the gastrointestinal tract continuity.Pathological examination showed ileal duplication with ectopic gastric mucosa.The patient experienced an eventless postoperative recovery and remained asymptomatic within 2 years of postoperative follow-up.

Assessment of multi-modality evaluations of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

AIM To determine the frequency of bleeding source detection in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding(OGIB) who underwent double balloon enteroscopy(DBE) after pre-procedure imaging [multiphase computed tomography enterography(MPCTE), video capsule endoscopy(VCE), or both] and assess the impact of imaging on DBE diagnostic yield.METHODS Retrospective cohort study using a prospectively maintained database of all adult patients presenting with OGIB who underwent DBE from September 1^(st), 2002 to June 30^(th), 2013 at a single tertiary center.RESULTS Four hundred and ninety five patients(52% females; median age 68 years) underwent DBE for OGIB. AVCE and/or MPCTE performed within 1 year prior to DBE(in 441 patients) increased the diagnostic yield of DBE(67.1% with preceding imaging vs 59.5% without). Using DBE as the gold standard, VCE and MPCTE had a diagnostic yield of 72.7% and 32.5% respectively. There were no increased odds of finding a bleeding site at DBE compared to VCE(OR = 1.3, P = 0.150). There were increased odds of finding a bleeding site at DBE compared to MPCTE(OR = 5.9, P < 0.001). In inpatients with overt OGIB, diagnostic yield of DBE was not affected by preceding imaging.CONCLUSION DBE is a safe and well-tolerated procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of OGIB, with a diagnostic yield that may be increased after obtaining a preceding VCE or MPCTE. However, inpatients with active ongoing bleeding may benefit from proceeding directly to antegrade DBE.

Evaluation of gastrointestinal bleeding: Update of current radiologic strategies

Gastrointestinal bleeding(GIB) is a common presenta-tion with significant associated morbidity and mortality, the prevalence of which continues to rise with the ever-increasing aging population. Initial evaluation includes an esophagoduodeonscopy and/or colonoscopy, which may fail to reveal a source. Such cases prove to be a dilemma and require collaboration between gastroen-terology and radiology in deciding the most appropriate approach. Recently, there have been a number of ra-diologic advances in the approach to GIB. The purpose of this review is to provide an evidence-based update on the most current radiologic modalities available and an algorithmic approach to GIB.