Device-assisted enteroscopy: Are we ready to dismiss the spiral?

Motorized spiral enteroscopy(MSE)is the latest advance in device-assisted enteroscopy.Adverse events related to MSE were discussed in a recent large systematic review and meta-analysis and were directly compared with those of balloon enteroscopy in a case-matched study and a randomized controlled trial.Following the real-life application of MSE,an unexpected safety issue emerged regarding esophageal injury and the technique has been withdrawn from the global market,despite encouraging results in terms of diagnostic and therapeutic yield.We conducted an Italian multicenter real-life prospective study,which was prematurely terminated after the withdrawal of MSE from the market.The primary goals were the evaluation of MSE performance(both diagnostic and therapeutic)and its safety in routine endoscopic practice,particularly in the early phase of introduction in the endoscopic unit.A subanalysis,which involved patients who underwent MSE after unsuccessful balloon enteroscopy,demonstrated,for the first time,the promising performance of MSE as a rescue procedure.Given its remarkable performance in clinical practice and its potential role as a backup technique following a previously failed enteroscopy,it may be more appropriate to refine and enhance MSE in the future rather than completely abandoning it.

Endoscopic treatment of biliopancreatic pathology in patients with Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy surgical variants: Lessons learned from single-balloon enteroscopy-assisted ERCP

Background: Endoscopic treatment of biliopancreatic pathology is challenging due to surgically altered anatomy after Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of single-balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(SBE-ERCP) to treat biliopancreatic pathology in patients with Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy surgical variants. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 106 SBE-ERCP procedures in 46 patients with Whipple's variants. Technical and clinical success rates and adverse events were evaluated. Results: Biliary SBE-ERCP was performed in 34 patients and pancreatic SBE-ERCP in 17, including 5 with both indications. From a total of 106 SBE-ERCP procedures, 76 were biliary indication with technical success rate of 68/76(90%) procedures and clinical success rate of 30/34(88%) patients. Mild adverse event rate was 8/76(11%), without serious adverse events. From a total of 106 SBE-ERCP procedures, 30 were pancreatic indication with technical success rate of 24/30(80%) procedures( P = 0.194 vs. biliary SBEERCP) and clinical success rate of 11/17(65%) patients( P = 0.016 vs. biliary SBE-ERCP). Mild adverse event rate was 6/30(20%)( P = 0.194 vs. biliary SBE-ERCP), without serious adverse events. After SBE-ERCP failure, endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage, percutaneous drainage and redo surgery were alternative therapeutic options. Conclusions: Biliopancreatic pathology after Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy variants can be treated using SBE-ERCP without serious adverse events. Technical and clinical success rates are high for biliary indications, whereas clinical success rate of pancreatic indications is significantly lower. SBE-ERCP can be considered as first-line treatment option in this patient group with surgically altered anatomy.

Two case reports of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding from duodenal ulcers after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: Endoscopic diagnosis and therapy by single balloon or push enteroscopy after missed diagnosis by standard esophagogastroduodenoscopy

The diagnosis and opportunity for endoscopic therapy of gastric or duodenal lesions may be missed at esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD) because of technical difficulty in intubating at EGD the postoperatively excluded stomach and proximal duodenum in patients status post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass(RYGB). Two cases are reported of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding 10 or 11 years status postRYGB, performed for morbid obesity, in which the EGD was non-diagnostic due to failure to intubate the excluded stomach and proximal duodenum, whereas subsequent push enteroscopy or single balloon enteroscopy were diagnostic and revealed 4-cm-wide or 5-mm-wide bulbar ulcers and even permitted application of endoscopic therapy. These case reports suggest consideration of push enteroscopy, or single balloon enteroscopy, where available, in the endoscopic evaluation of acute UGI bleeding in patients status post RYGB surgery when the EGD was non-diagnostic because of failure to intubate these excluded segments.

Evaluation of the diagnostic and therapeutic utility of retrograde through-the-scope balloon enteroscopy and single-balloon enteroscopy

BACKGROUND Retrograde single balloon enteroscopy(SBE)is a minimally invasive procedure which is less frequently performed compared with antegrade SBE.There are few studies on the retrograde through-the-scope enteroscopy(TTSE),a novel technique for evaluation of the small bowel.AIM To compare the clinical utility and safety of retrograde TTSE with retrograde SBE.METHODS Clinical data and complications of retrograde TTSE(2014-2018)and retrograde SBE(2011-2018)performed in a community hospital were reviewed and presented as mean±SD or frequency(%)and compared using proper statistical tests.Technical success was defined as insertion of the enteroscope>20 cm beyond ileocecal valve.RESULTS Data obtained from 54 retrograde SBE in 49 patients and 27 retrograde TTSE in 26 patients were studied.The most common indication for retrograde enteroscopy was iron deficiency anemia(41 patients)followed by gastrointestinal bleeding(37 patients),and chronic diarrhea(7 patients).The duration of retrograde SBE procedure(91.9±34.2 min)was significantly longer compared with retrograde TTSE(70.5±30.7 min)(P=0.04).Technical success was comparable in TTSE[23/27(85.2%)]and SBE[41/54(75.9%)(P=0.33)].The mean depth of insertion beyond the ileocecal valve in retrograde SBE(92.5±70.0 cm)tended to be longer compared with retrograde TTSE(64.6±49.0 cm)(P=0.08).No complication was observed in this study.CONCLUSION Both retrograde TTSE and retrograde SBE are feasible and safe.Retrograde TTSE takes a shorter time and has a comparable technical success with SBE.TTSE has a lower capacity of small bowel insertion.

Is enteroscopy necessary for diagnosis of celiac disease?

Celiac disease （CD） is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the small intestine as a result of reaction to wheat protein, gluten. Exclusion of dietary gluten is the mainstay of the treatment that necessitates a precise diagnosis of the disease. Serological screen ing may aid in identifying patients with suspected CD, which should be confirmed by intestinal biopsy. It has been shown that duodenal biopsies are good for de- tection of the disease in most patients. However, there is a group of patients with positive serology and incon- clusive pathology. As a result of the widespread use of serology, many patients with equivocal findings grow quickly. Unfortunately current endoscopic methods can only diagnose villous atrophy, which can be present in the later grades of disease （i.e., Marsh m）. To diag- nose CD correctly, going deeper in the intestine may be necessary. Enteroscopy can reveal changes in CD in the intestinal mucosa in 10%-17% of cases that have negative histology at initial workup. Invasiveness of the method limits its use. Capsule endoscopy may be a good substitute for enteroscopy. However, both tech- niques should be reserved for patients with suspected diagnosis of complications. This paper reviews the cur- rent literature in terms of the value of enteroscopy for diagnosis of CD.

Double-balloon enteroscopy-assisted dilatation avoids surgery for small bowel strictures: A systematic review

AIM To evaluate the therapeutic role of double-balloon enteroscopy(DBE) in small bowel strictures and to propose a standard approach to small bowel strictures.METHODS Systematic review of studies involving DBE in patients with small bowel strictures. Only studies limited to small bowel strictures were included and those with ileo-colonic strictures were excluded. RESULTS In total 13 studies were included,in which 310 patients were dilated. The average follow-up time was 31.8 mo per patient. The complication rate was 4.8% per patient and 2.6% per dilatation. Surgery was avoided in 80% of patients. After the first dilatation,46% were treated with re-dilatation and only 17% required surgery.CONCLUSION DBE-assisted dilatation avoids surgery in 80% of patients with small bowel strictures and is safe and effective. We propose a standardized approach to small bowel strictures.

Impact of enteroscopy on diagnosis and management of small bowel tumors

Small bowel tumors(SBTs)have been increasingly diagnosed in recent decades.The pathogenesis of this increment is largely unknown,but advances in radiological and endoscopic methods facilitate the improvement of the diagnosis.Capsule endoscopy(CE)and device-assisted enteroscopy(DAE)allow the clinician to assess the entire small bowel in the search for suspicious lesions,or a cause of symptoms.In this review,we discuss the role of enteroscopy,techniques and strategies in the diagnosis and management of SBTs,and a brief description of the most common tumors.

Deep enteroscopy-indications,diagnostic yield and complications

Since its introduction in 2001 capsule endoscopy opened up the small bowel for diagnostic approaches followed by double balloon enteroscopy which enabled the endoscopic community to perform therapeutic interventions in the whole small intestine.In this review the scientific developments related to indications,diagnostic yield and complications of the last years between the competing devices double ballon enteroscopy,single balloon enteroscopy and spiral enteroscopy are illustrated.

Enteroscopy in children and adults with inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)includes Crohn’s disease(CD),ulcerative colitis and unclassified entities.CD commonly involves the terminal ileum and colon but at the time of diagnosis it can be confined to the small bowel(SB)in about 30%of the patients,especially in the young ones.Management of isolated SB-CD can be challenging and objective evaluation of the SB mucosa is essential in differentiating CD from other enteropathies to achieve therapeutic decisions and to plan the follow-up.The introduction of cross-sectional imaging techniques and capsule endoscopy(CE)have significantly expanded the ability to diagnose SB diseases providing a non-invasive test for the visualization of the entire SB mucosa.The main CE limitations are the low specificity,the lack of therapeutic capabilities and the impossibility to take biopsies.Device assisted enteroscopy(DAE)enables histological confirmation when traditional endoscopy,capsule endoscopy and cross-sectional imaging are inconclusive and also allows therapeutic interventions such as balloon stricture dilation,intralesional steroid injection,capsule retrieval and more recently stent insertion.In the current review we will discuss technical aspect,indications and safety profile of DAE in children and adults with IBD.

Achieving Total Enteroscopy by Consecutive Bidirectional Doubleballoon Enteroscopy Procedures

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and safety of achieving total enteroscopy by consecutive bidirectional double-balloon enteroscopy(DBE)procedures.Methods:The demographic data,indication,initial insertion route,examination time for each insertion and the entire procedure,total enteroscopy rate,diagnostic yield and adverse events of patients who attempted to achieve total enteroscopy by consecutive bidirectional DBE procedures from January 2014 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.

Current status of single-balloon enteroscopy: Insertability and clinical applications

The single-balloon enteroscopy(SBE) system was launched in 2007, proposed as a simpler method than double-balloon enteroscopy(DBE). Controversy surrounds whether the SBE system has the same insertability as DBE. However, many methods have been proposed to improve the depth of insertion with the SBE system, involving several techniques and endoscopic accessories. SBE is used for investigating not only small bowel diseases, but also diseases of the pancreatobiliary and colonic structures. SBE is a necessary advancement for many endoscopic procedures and applications in modern clinical practice. In our review, we summarized the current literature concerning the insertability of SBE and described the technical aspects of improving the rate of deep insertion in SBE procedures. In addition, the recent applications of SBE to diseases besides those of the small bowel are described.

Role of balloon enteroscopy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in those with surgically altered anatomy: A systematic review

BACKGROUND Obscure gastrointestinal(GI)bleeding is defined as persistent bleeding despite negative evaluation with both esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy and can be secondary to small intestinal pathology.Standard endoscopy as well as push endoscopy can be a challenge in those with altered anatomy given inaccessible areas as well as perforation risk.Single and double balloon enteroscopy can be warranted in this patient population in instances of obscure GI bleed.AIM To assess the safety and diagnostic efficacy of balloon enteroscopy for obscure GI bleeding in patients with surgically altered anatomy.METHODS A search was conducted through PubMed,MEDLINE,Google Scholar,Scopus,and Embase with the key words“enteroscopy,”“obscure bleeding,”and“altered anatomy,”to identify relevant articles in English with no restricted time frame.A search within the Reference Citation Analysis database was conducted to ensure inclusion of the latest high impact articles.Study types included in the review were prospective and retrospective reviews,case series,and case reports.The reference lists of these papers were also reviewed to find further papers that were applicable.The authors extracted the data from the studies that fit inclusion criteria.Data of interest included type of study,type of procedure,and type of altered anatomy,as well as the number of patients with any diagnostic or therapeutic intervention.Data was also recorded on procedure tolerance and complications.The data was analyzed with descriptive statistics.RESULTS Our literature search yielded 14 studies that were included.There were 68 procedures performed with 61 unique patients subjected to these procedures.Forty-four(65%)of the procedures were double balloon,21(31%)were single balloon,and 3(4%)were classified as through the scope balloon assisted.The most common altered anatomy types included Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y,Pylorus Sparing Whipple,Orthotopic Liver Transplantation with Roux-en-Y,and Gastrojejunostomy Roux-en-Y.The procedures were successfully performed in each patient.There were 5(7%)procedures that were complicated by perforation.Amongst the available data,the diagnostic yield was 48/59(81%)and a therapeutic yield of 39/59(66%).One patient was recommended surgical revision of their altered anatomy following enteroscopy.CONCLUSION Balloon enteroscopy is a useful diagnostic modality in investigating obscure GI bleeding within those with surgically altered anatomy;however,precautions must be taken as this population may have increased perforation risk.

Clinical profile,diagnostic yield,and procedural outcomes of single balloon enteroscopy:A tertiary care hospital experience

BACKGROUND Single balloon enteroscopy(SBE)allows ease of access for small bowel visualization and has multiple diagnostic and therapeutic indications.It provides the advantage of performing various therapeutic interventions alongside the diagnostic procedure.SBE has also been considered a relatively safe procedure with no major complications.AIM To investigate the indications,safety,and clinical yield of SBE,and determine its effect on disease outcome.METHODS A retrospective,descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi,Pakistan.Medical records of 56 adult patients(≥18 years)who underwent SBE between July 2013 and December 2021 were reviewed and data were collected using a structured proforma.A descriptive analysis of the variables was performed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences Version 19.Results are reported as the mean±SD for quantitative variables and numbers and percentages for qualitative variables.Missing data are reported as unknown.RESULTS A total of 56 patients who underwent 61 SBE procedures were included.The mean age was 50.93±16.16 years,with 53.6%of them being males.Hypertension(39.3%)and diabetes mellitus(25.0%)were the most common pre-existing comorbidities.Obscure gastrointestinal bleed(39.3%)was the most common indication for enteroscopy,followed by chronic diarrhea(19.7%)and unexplained anemia(16.4%).The majority of procedures were performed in the endoscopy suite(90.2%)under monitored anaesthesia care(93.4%).Most procedures were diagnostic(91.8%)and completed without complications(95.1%).The depth of examination ranged from 95 cm to 500 cm with a mean of 282.05±90.04 cm.The most common findings were inflammation and ulcerations(29.5%),followed by masses(19.7%)and vascular malformations(14.8%).As a result of the findings,a new diagnosis was made in 47.5%of the cases and a previous one was ruled out in 24.6%of them;65.6%of the cases had a change in management.CONCLUSION SBE is a suitable modality for investigating diseases in the small bowel.It is shown to be technically efficient and reasonably safe and is associated with high diagnostic and therapeutic yield.

A meta-analysis of the yield of capsule endoscopy compared to double-balloon enteroscopy in patients with small bowel diseases

AIM:To compare the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy (CE) with that of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE). METHODS:Pubmed,Embase,Elsevier ScienceDirect,the China Academic Journals Full-text Database,and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched for the trials comparing the yield of CE with that of DBE. Outcome measure was odds ratio (OR) of the yield. Fixed or random model method was used for data analysis. RESULTS:Eight studies (n = 277) which prospectively compared the yield of CE and DBE were collected. The results of meta-analysis indicated that there was no difference between the yield of CE and DBE 170/277 vs 156/277,OR 1.21 (95% CI:0.64-2.29). Based on sub analysis,the yield of CE was significantly higher than that of double-balloon enteroscopy without combination of oral and anal insertion approaches 137/219 vs 110/219,OR 1.67 (95% CI:1.14-2.44),P < 0.01),but not superior to the yield of DBE with combination of the two insertion approaches 26/48 vs 37/48,OR 0.33 (95% CI:0.05-2.21),P > 0.05). A focused meta-analysis of the fully published articles concerning obscure GI bleeding was also performed and showed similar results wherein the yield of CE was significantly higher than that of DBE without combination of oral and anal insertion approaches 118/191 vs 96/191,fixed model:OR 1.61 (95% CI:1.07-2.43),P < 0.05) and the yield of CE was significantly lower than that of DBE by oral and anal combinatory approaches 11/24 vs 21/24,fixed model:OR 0.12 (95% CI:0.03-0.52),P < 0.01). CONCLUSION:With combination of oral and anal approaches,the yield of DBE might be at least as high asthat of CE. Decisions made regarding the initial approach should depend on patient's physical status,technology availability,patient's preferences,and potential for therapeutic endoscopy.

Non-small-bowel lesions encountered during double-balloon enteroscopy performed for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

AIM:To report the incidence of non-small-bowel bleeding pathologies encountered during double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) procedures and to analyse their significance.METHODS: A retrospective study of a prospective DBE database conducted in a tertiary-referral center was conducted. A total of 179 patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) referred for DBE from June 2004 to November 2008 were analysed looking for the incidence of non-small-bowel lesions (NSBLs; all and newly diagnosed) encountered during DBE.RESULTS: There were 228 (150 antegrade and 78 retrograde) DBE procedures performed in 179 patients. The mean number of DBE procedures was 1.27 per patient. The mean age (SD) of the patients was 62 ± 16 years old. There were 94 females (52.5%). The positive yield for a bleeding lesion was 65.9%. Of the 179 patients, 44 (24.6%) had NSBLs (19 of them had dual pathology with small-bowel lesions and NSBLs); 27 (15.1%) had lesions not detected by previous endoscopies. The most common type of missed lesions were vascular lesions.CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of patients (24.6%) had lesions within reach of conventional endoscopy. Careful repeat examination with gastroscopy and colonoscopy might be required.

Double-balloon enteroscopy in small bowel tumors: A Chinese single-center study

AIM: To analyze the clinical characteristics of small bowel tumors detected by double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and to evaluate the diagnostic value of DBE in tumors. METHODS: Four hundred and forty consecutive DBE examinations were performed in 400 patients (250 males and 150 females, mean age 46.9 ± 16.3 years, range 14-86 years) between January 2007 and April 2012. Of these, 252 patients underwent the antegrade approach, and 188 patients underwent the retrograde approach. All the patients enrolled in our study were suspected of having small bowel diseases with a negative etiological diagnosis following other routine examinations, such as upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy and radiography tests. Data on tumors, such as clinical information, endoscopic findings and opera-tion results, were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: Small bowel tumors were diagnosed in 78 patients, of whom 67 were diagnosed using DBE, resulting in a diagnostic yield of 16.8% (67/400); the other 11 patients had negative DBE findings and were diagnosed through surgery or capsule endoscopy. Adenocarcinoma (29.5%, 23/78), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (24.4%, 19/78) and lymphoma (15.4%, 12/78) were the most common tumors. Among the 78 tumors, 60.3% (47/78) were located in the jejunum, and the overall number of malignant tumors was 74.4% (58/78). DBE examinations were frequently performed in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (47.4%) and abdominal pain (24.4%). The positive detection rate for DBE in the 78 patients with small bowel tumors was 85.9% (67/78), which was higher than that of a computed tomography scan (72.9%, 51/70). Based on the operation results, the accuracy rates of DBE for locating small bowel neoplasms, such as adenocarcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor and lymphoma, were 94.4%, 100% and 100%, respectively. The positive biopsy rates for adenocarcinoma and lymphoma were 71.4% and 60%, respectively. CONCLUSION: DBE is a useful diagnostic tool with high clinical practice value and should be considered the gold standard for the investigation of small bowel tumors.

Different roles of capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy in obscure small intestinal diseases

AIM: To compare the roles of capsule endoscopy(CE)and double-balloon enteroscopy(DBE) in the diagnosis of obscure small bowel diseases.METHODS: From June 2009 to December 2014, 88 patients were included in this study; the patients had undergone gastroscopy, colonoscopy, radiological small intestinal barium meal, abdominal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan and mesenteric angiography, but their diagnoses were still unclear. The patients with gastrointestinal obstructions,fistulas, strictures, or cardiac pacemakers, as well as pregnant women, and individuals who could not accept the capsule-retention or capsule-removal surgery were excluded. Patients with heart, lung and other vital organ failure diseases were also excluded. Everyone involved in this study had undergone CE and DBE. The results were divided into:(1) the definite diagnosis(the diagnosis was confirmed at least by one of the biopsy,surgery, pathology or the drug treatment effects with follow-up for at least 3 mo);(2) the possible diagnosis(a possible diagnosis was suggested by CE or DBE,but not confirmed by the biopsy, surgery or follow-up drug treatment effects); and(3) the unclear diagnosis(no exact causes were provided by CE and DBE for the disease). The detection rate and the diagnostic yield of the two methods were compared. The differencein the etiologies between CE and DBE was estimated,and the different possible etiologies caused by the age groups were also investigated.RESULTS: CE exhibited a better trend than DBE for diagnosing scattered small ulcers(P = 0.242, Fisher's test), and small vascular malformations(χ 2 = 1.810,P = 0.179, Pearson χ 2 test), but with no significant differences, possible due to few cases. However,DBE was better than CE for larger tumors(P =0.018, Fisher's test) and for diverticular lesions with bleeding ulcers(P = 0.005, Fisher's test). All three hemangioma cases diagnosed by DBE in this study(including sponge hemangioma, venous hemangioma,and hemangioma with hamartoma lesions) were all confirmed by biopsy. Two parasite cases were found by CE, but were negative by DBE. This study revealed no obvious differences in the detection rates(DR) of CE(60.0%, 53/88) and DBE(59.1%, 52/88). However,the etiological diagnostic yield(DY) difference was apparent. The CE diagnostic yield was 42.0%(37/88),and the DBE diagnostic yield was 51.1%(45/88).Furthermore, there were differences among the age groups(χ 2 = 22.146, P = 0.008, Kruskal Wallis Test). Small intestinal cancer(5/6 cases), vascular malformations(22/29 cases), and active bleeding(3/4cases) appeared more commonly in the patients over50 years old, but diverticula with bleeding ulcers were usually found in the 15-25-year group(4/7cases). The over-25-year group accounted for the stromal tumors(10/12 cases).CONCLUSION: CE and DBE each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The appropriate choice depends on the patient's age, tolerance, and clinical manifestations. Sometimes CE followed by DBE is necessary.

Comparison of double balloon enteroscopy in adults and children

AIM: To compare results of double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) procedures in pediatric and adult patients. METHODS: The medical files of patients who underwent DBE at Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey between 2009 and 2011 were examined retrospectively. Adult and pediatric patients were compared according to DBE indications, procedure duration, final diagnosis, and complications. DBE procedures were performed in an operating room under general anesthesia by two endoscopists. An oral or anal approach was preferred according to estimated lesion sites. Overnight fasting of at least 6 h prior to the start of the procedure was adequate for preprocedural preparation of oral DBE procedures. Bowel cleansing was performed by oral administration of sennosides A and B solution, 2 mL/kg, and anal saline laxative en-ema. The patients were followed up for 2 h after the procedure in terms of possible complications. RESULTS: DBE was performed in 35 patients (5 pediatric and 30 adult). DBE procedures were performed for abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, bleeding, chronic vomiting, anemia, and postoperative evaluation of anastomosis. Final diagnosis was diffuse gastric angiodysplasia (n = 1); diffuse jejunal angiodysplasia (n = 1); ulceration in the bulbus (n = 1); celiac disease (n = 1); low differentiated metastatic carcinoma (n = 1); PeutzJeghers syndrome (n = 1); adenomatous polyp (n = 1) and stricture formation in anastomosis line (n = 1). During postprocedural follow-up, abdominal pain and elevated amylase levels were noted in three patients and one patient developed abdominal perforation. CONCLUSION: With the help of technological improvements, we may use enteroscopy as a safe modality more frequently in younger and smaller children.

Emergent single-balloon enteroscopy for overt bleeding of small intestinal vascular malformation

A 28-year-old man presented with anemia symptoms and intermittent tarry stool passage for three days. No stigmata of hemorrhage were identified using esophagogastroduodenoscopy, ileocolonoscopy, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography. He then developed massive tarry stool passage with profound hypovolemic shock and hypoxic respiratory failure. Emergent angiography revealed active bleeder, probably from the jejunal branches of the superior mesenteric artery, but embolization was not performed due to possible subsequent extensive bowel ischemia. His airway was secured via endotracheal intubation with ventilator support, and emergent antegrade singleballoon enteroscopy was performed at 8 h after clinical overt bleeding occurrence; the procedure revealed a 2-cm pulsating subepithelial tumor with a protrudingblood plug at the distal jejunum. Laparoscopic segmental resection of the jejunum with end-to-end anastomosis was performed after emergent endoscopic tattooing localization. Pathological examination revealed a vascular malformation in the submucosa with an organizing thrombus. He was uneventfully discharged 5 d later. This case report highlights the benefit of early deep enteroscopy for the treatment of small intestinal bleeding.

Double-balloon enteroscopy for mesenchymal tumors of small bowel:Nine years' experience

AIM:To assess the value of double-balloon enteroscopy(DBE) for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors(GIMTs) in the small bowel and clarify their clinical and endoscopic characteristics.METHODS:A retrospective review in a total of 783 patients who underwent a DBE procedure from January 2003 to December 2011 was conducted.Data from patients with pathologically confirmed GIMTs were analyzed at a single tertiary center with nine years' experience.The primary outcomes assessed included characteristics of patients with GIMTs,indications for DBE,overall diagnostic yield of GIMTs,endoscopic morphology,positive biopsy,comparison of diagnosis with capsule endoscopy,and subsequent interventional management.RESULTS:GIMTs were identified and analyzed in 77 patients.The mean age was 47.74 ± 14.14 years(range:20-77 years),with 63.6% being males.The majority of individuals presented with gastrointestinal bleeding,accounting for 81.8%,followed by abdominal pain,accounting for 10.4%.Small bowel pathologies were found in 71 patients,the detection rate was 92.2%.The diagnostic yield of DBE for GIMTs was 88.3%.DBE was superior to capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis of GIMTs(P = 0.006;McNemar's χ2 test).Gastrointestinal stromal tumor was the most frequent and leiomyoma was the second frequent GIMT.Single and focal lesions were typical of GIMTs,and masses with smooth or unsmooth surface were the most common in the small bowel.GIMTs were removed from all the patients surgically except one patient treated with endoscopic resection.CONCLUSION:DBE is a safe and valuable procedure for patients with suspected GIMTs,and it provides an accurate position for subsequent surgical intervention.