Capsule endoscopy and panendoscopy:A journey to the future of gastrointestinal endoscopy

In 2000,the small bowel capsule revolutionized the management of patients with small bowel disorders.Currently,the technological development achieved by the new models of double-headed endoscopic capsules,as miniaturized devices to evaluate the small bowel and colon[pan-intestinal capsule endoscopy(PCE)],makes this non-invasive procedure a disruptive concept for the management of patients with digestive disorders.This technology is expected to identify which patients will require conventional invasive endoscopic procedures(colonoscopy or balloon-assisted enteroscopy),based on the lesions detected by the capsule,i.e.,those with an indication for biopsies or endoscopic treatment.The use of PCE in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases,namely Crohn’s disease,as well as in patients with iron deficiency anaemia and/or overt gastrointestinal(GI)bleeding,after a non-diagnostic upper endoscopy(esophagogastroduodenoscopy),enables an effective,safe and comfortable way to identify patients with relevant lesions,who should undergo subsequent invasive endoscopic procedures.The recent development of magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy to evaluate the upper GI tract,is a further step towards the possibility of an entirely non-invasive assessment of all the segments of the digestive tract,from mouth-to-anus,meeting the expectations of the early developers of capsule endoscopy.

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.

Implications of small-bowel transit time in the detection rate of capsule endoscopy: A multivariable multicenter study of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

AIMTo define the role of small-bowel transit time in the detection rate of significant small-bowel lesions.METHODSSmall-bowel capsule endoscopy records, prospectively collected from 30 participating centers in the Lombardy Registry from October 2011 to December 2013, were included in the study if the clinical indication was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and the capsule reached the cecum. Based on capsule findings, we created two groups: P2 (significant findings) and P0-1 (normal/negligible findings). Groups were compared for age, gender, small-bowel transit time, type of instrument, modality of capsule performance (outpatients vs inpatients), bowel cleanliness, and center volume.RESULTSWe retrieved and scrutinized 1,433 out of 2,295 capsule endoscopy records (62.4%) fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Patients were 67 ± 15 years old, and 815 (57%) were males. In comparison with patients in the P0-1 group, those in the P2 group (n = 776, 54%) were older (P < 0.0001), had a longer small-bowel transit time (P = 0.0015), and were more frequently examined in low-volume centers (P < 0.001). Age and small-bowel transit time were correlated (P < 0.001), with age as the sole independent predictor on multivariable analysis. Findings of the P2 group were artero-venous malformations (54.5%), inflammatory (23.6%) and protruding (10.4%) lesions, and luminal blood (11.5%).CONCLUSIONIn this selected, prospectively collected cohort of small-bowel capsule endoscopy performed for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, a longer small-bowel transit time was associated with a higher detection rate of significant lesions, along with age and a low center volume, with age serving as an independent predictor.

Wireless capsule endoscopy in detecting small-intestinal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis

AIM:To detect the prevalence of small bowel polyps by wireless capsule endoscopy(WCE)in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis(FAP).METHODS:We examined prospectively 14 patients with FAP to assess the location,size and number of small-intestinal polyps.Patients'age,sex,years of observation after surgery,type of surgery,duodenal polyps and colorectal cancer at surgery were analyzed.RESULTS:During WCE,polyps were detected in 9/14(64.3%)patients.Duodenal adenomatous polyps were found in nine(64.3%)patients,and jejunal and ileal polyps in seven(50%)and eight(57.1%),respectively.The Spigelman stage of duodenal polyposis was associated with the presence of jejunal and ileal polyps.Identification of the ampulla of Vater was not achieved with WCE.Importantly,the findings of WCE had no immediate impact on the further clinical management of FAP patients.No procedure-related complications were observed in the patients.CONCLUSION:WCE is a promising noninvasive new method for the detection of small-intestinal polyps.Further investigation is required to determine which phenotype of FAP is needed for surveillance with WCE.

A primary intestinal lymphangiectasia patient diagnosed by capsule endoscopy and confirmed at surgery: A case report

Intestinal lymphangiectasia （IL） is a rare disease characterized by dilated lymphatic vessles in the intestinal wall and small bowel mesentery which induce loss of protein and lymphocytes into bowel lumen. Because it most often occurs in the intestine and cannot be detected by upper gastroendoscopy or colonoscopy, and the value of common image examinations such as X-ray and computerized tomography （CT） are limited, the diagnosis of IL is difficult, usually needing the help of surgery. Capsule endoscopy is useful in diagnosing intestinal diseases, such as IL. We here report a case of IL in a female patient who was admitted for the complaint of recurrent edema accompanied with diarrhea and abdominal pain over the last twenty years, and aggravated ten days ago. She was diagnosed by M2A capsule endoscopy as a primary IL and confirmed by surgical and pathological examination.

Oral purgative and simethicone before small bowel capsule endoscopy

AIM:To evaluate small bowel cleansing quality,diagnostic yield and transit time,comparing three cleansing protocols prior to capsule endoscopy.METHODS:Sixty patients were prospectively enrolled and randomized to one of the following cleansing protocols:patients in Group A underwent a 24 h liquid diet and overnight fasting;patients in Group B followed protocol A and subsequently were administered 2 L of polyethylene glycol(PEG) the evening before the procedure;patients in Group C followed protocol B and were additionally administered 100 mg of simethicone 30 min prior to capsule ingestion.Small bowel cleansing was independently assessed by two experienced endoscopists and classified as poor,fair,good or excellent according to the proportion of small bowel mucosa under perfect conditions for visualization.When there was no agreement between the two endoscopists,the images were reviewed and discussed until a consensus was reached.The preparation was considered acceptable if > 50% or adequate if > 75% of the mucosa was in perfect cleansing condition.The amount of bubbles was assessed independently and it was considered significant if it prevented a correct interpretation of the images.Positive endoscopic findings,gastric emptying time(GET) and small bowel transit time(SBTT) were recorded for each examination.RESULTS:There was a trend favoring Group B in achieving an acceptable(including fair,good or excellent) level of cleansing(Group A:65%;Group B:83.3%;Group C:68.4%) [P = not significant(NS)] and favoring Group C in attaining an excellent level of cleansing(Group A:10%;Group B:16.7%;Group C:21.1%)(P = NS).The number of patients with an adequate cleansing of the small bowel,corresponding to an excellent or good classification,was 5(25%) in Group A,5(27.8%) in Group B and 4(21.1%) in Group C(P = 0.892).Conversely,7 patients(35%) in Group A,3 patients(16.7%) in Group B and 6 patients(31.6%) in Group C were considered to have poor small bowel cleansing(P = 0.417),with significant fluid or debris such that the examination was unreliable.The proportion of patients with a significant amount of bubbles was 50% in Group A,27.8% in Group B and 15.8% in Group C(P = 0.065).This was significantly lower in Group C when compared to Group A(P = 0.026).The mean GET was 27.8 min for Group A,27.2 min for Group B and 40.7 min for Group C(P = 0.381).The mean SBTT was 256.4 min for Group A,256.1 min for Group B and 258.1 min for Group C(P = 0.998).Regarding to the rate of complete examinations,the capsule reached the cecum in 20 patients(100%) in Group A,16 patients(88.9%) in Group B and 17 patients(89.5%) in Group C(P = 0.312).A definite diagnosis based on relevant small bowel endoscopic lesions was established in 60% of the patients in Group A(12 patients),44.4% in Group B(8 patients) and 57.8% in Group C(11 patients)(P = 0.587).CONCLUSION:Preparation with 2 L of PEG before small bowel capsule endoscopy(SBCE) may improve small bowel cleansing and the quality of visualization.Simethicone may further reduce intraluminal bubbles.No significant differences were found regarding GET,SBTT and the proportion of complete exploration or diagnostic yield among the three different cleansing protocols.

Small bowel tumors detected and missed during capsule endoscopy: Single center experience

AIM:To characterize small bowel(SB)tumors detected by capsule endoscopy(CE),and identify missed tumors.METHODS:The study included 145 consecutive patients in whom 150 CEs were performed.Following CE,the medical records of the study population were reviewed.Results of double-or single-balloon enteroscopy performed after CE and the results of surgery in all patients operated on were retrieved.The patients were contacted through telephone interviews or postal mail.In addition,the national cancer registry and the polish clinical gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST)Registry were searched to identify missed neoplasms.RESULTS:Indications for CE included overt and occult obscure gastrointestinal bleeding(n=81,53.7%),anemia(n=19,12.7%),malabsorption(n=18,12%),abnormal CB follow through(n=9,6%),abdominal pain(n=7,5%),celiac disease(n=5,3%),neuroendocrine tumor(n=3,2%),Crohn’s disease(n=2,<2%),Peutz-Jeghers syndrome(n=2,<2%),other polyposes(n=2,<2%),and diarrhea(n=2,<2%).The capsule reached the colon in 115(76.6%)examinations.In 150 investigations,CE identified 15SB tumors(10%),14 of which were operated on or treated endoscopically.Malignancies included metastatic melanoma(n=1),adenocarcinoma(n=2),and GIST(n=3).Benign neoplasms included dysplastic Peutz-Jeghers polyps(n=4).Non-neoplastic masses included venous malformation(n=1),inflammatory tumors(n=2),and a mass of unknown histology(n=1).During the follow-up period,three additional SB tumors were found(2 GISTs and one mesenteric tumor of undefined nature).The National Cancer Registry and Polish Clinical GIST Registry revealed no additional SB neoplasms in the post-examination period(follow-up:range 4.2-102.5 mo,median 39 mo).The sensitivity of CE for tumor detection was 83.3%,and the negative predictive value was 97.6%.The specificity and positive predictive value were both 100%.CONCLUSION:Neoplasms may be missed by CE,especially in the proximal SB.In overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding,complementary endoscopic and/or radiologic diagnostic tests are indicated.

Role of small bowel capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis and management of iron deficiency anemia in elderly: A comprehensive review of the current literature

Iron deficiency anemia(IDA)is common and often under recognized problem in the elderly.It may be the result of multiple factors including a bleeding lesion in the gastrointestinal tract.Twenty percent of elderly patients with IDA have a negative upper and lower endoscopy and two-thirds of these have a lesion in the small bowel(SB).Capsule endoscopy(CE)provides direct visualization of entire SB mucosa,which was not possible before.It is superior to push enteroscopy,enteroclysis and barium radiography for diagnosing clinically significant SB pathology resulting in IDA.Angioectasia is one of the commonest lesions seen on the CE in elderly with IDA.The diagnostic yield of CE for IDA progressively increases with advancing age,and is highest among patients over 85 years of age.Balloon assisted enteroscopy is used to treat the lesions seen on CE.CE has some limitations mainly lack of therapeutic capability,inability to provide precise location of the lesion and false positive results.Overall CE is a very safe and effective procedure for the evaluation of IDA in elderly.

Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia diagnosed by capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy

Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia(PIL)is a rare disorder characterized by dilated intestinal lymphatics and the development of protein-losing enteropathy.Patients with PIL develop hypoalbuminemia,hypocalcemia,lymphopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia,and present with bilateral lower limb edema,fatigue,abdominal pain and diarrhea.Endoscopy reveals diffusely elongated,circumferential and polypoid mucosae covered with whitish enlarged villi,all of which indicate intestinal lymphangiectasia.Diagnosis is conf irmed by characteristic tissue pathology,which includes dilated intestinal lymphatics with diffusely swollen mucosa and enlarged villi.The prevalence of PIL has increased since the introduction of capsule endoscopy.The etiology and prevalence of PIL remain unknown.Some studies have reported that several genes and regulatory molecules for lymphangiogenesis are related to PIL.We report the case of a patient with PIL involving the entire small bowel that was confirmed by capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy-guided tissue pathology who carried a deletion on chromosome 4q25.The relationship between this deletion on chromosome 4 and PIL remains to be investigated.

Capsule endoscopy and single-balloon enteroscopy in small bowel diseases: Competing or complementary?

AIM To evaluate diagnostic yields of capsule endoscopy(CE) and/or single-balloon enteroscopy(SBE) in patients with suspected small bowel diseases.METHODS Were trospectively analyzed 700 patients with suspected small bowel diseases from September 2010 to March 2016. CE, SBE, or SBE with prior CE was performed in 401, 353, and 47 patients, respectively. Data from clinical and endoscopy records were collected for analysis. Indications, procedure times, diagnostic yields, and complications were summarized and evaluated.RESULTS The overall diagnostic yield for the CE group was 57.6%. The diagnostic yield of CE in patients with obscure gastroin testinal bleeding(OGIB) was significantly greater than that in patients with no bleeding(70.5% vs 43.8%, P < 0.01). The overall diagnostic yield of SBE was 69.7%. There was no difference in the diagnostic yield of SBE between patients with OGIB and those with no bleeding(72.5% vs 68.9%, P = 0.534). Forty-seven patients underwent CE prior to SBE. Among them, the diagnostic yield of SBE with positive findings on prior CE was 93.3%. In addition, SBE detected two cases with superficial ulcer and erosive lesions in the small bowel, which were missed by CE. However, one case with lymphoma and two with Crohn's disease were not confirmed by SBE. The rate of capsule retention was 2.0%. There were no significant complications during or after SBE examinations.CONCLUSION SBE is a safe and effective technique for diagnosing small bowel diseases. SBE with prior CE seemed to improve the diagnostic yield of small bowel diseases.

Yield,etiologies and outcomes of capsule endoscopy in Thai patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

AIM:To investigate the yield,etiologies and impact of capsule endoscopy(CE) in Thai patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding(OGIB).METHODS:The present study is a retrospective cohort study.All patients with OGIB who underwent CE in Siriraj Hospital,Bangkok,Thailand during 2005-2009 were included in the study.All the patients' medical records and results of the CE videos were reviewed.CE findings were classified as significant,suspicious/equivocal and negative.Sites of the lesions were located to duodenum,jejunum,jejunoileum,ileum and diffuse lesions by the localization device of the CE.Impact of CE on the patients' management was defined by any investigation or treatment given to the patients that was more than an iron supplement or blood transfusion.Patients' outcomes(rebleeding,persistent bleeding,anemia or requirement of blood transfusion) were collected from chart reviews and direct phone interviews with the patients.RESULTS:Overall,there were 103 patients with OGIB included in the study.Mean age of the patients was 64 ± 16 years(range 9-88 years) and 57 patients(55%) were male.Types of OGIB were overt in 80(78%) and occult in 23 patients(22%).The median time interval of CE after onset of OGIB was 10 d(range 1-180 d).The median time of follow-up was 19 mo(range 1-54 mo).Capsules reached caecum in 77 patients(74%) and capsule retention was found in 1 patient(1%).The diagnostic yield of CE revealed significant lesions in 37 patients(36%),suspicious/equivocal lesions in 15 patients(15%) and 51 patients(49%) had negative CE result.Among the significant lesions,the bleeding etiologies were small bowel ulcers in 44%,angiodysplasia in 27%,small bowel tumor in 13%,miscellaneous in 8% and active bleeding without identifiable causes in 8%.Patients with small bowel ulcers were significantly associated with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(48%,P = 0.034),while patients with small bowel tumors were more commonly female(86%,P = 0.043) compared to the other etiologies.The rate of rebleeding,persistent bleeding or anemia in patients with positive,equivocal and negative CE results were 5%,0% and 18%,respectively(P = 0.078).All the 9 patients with rebleeding after negative CE were subsequently found to be from hematologic disorders(4),colonic diverticulosis(2),colonic Dieulafoy's(1),hemorrhoid(1) and hemosuccus pancreaticus(1).Results of CE had a positive impact on the patients' management in 35% of the patients whose results were positive,but none on the patients whose results were equivocal or negative CE(P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:In Thai OGIB patients,CE had low yield and small bowel ulcer was most common.Positive CE impacted managements and outcomes.Negative CE caused low rebleeding.

Role of videocapsule endoscopy for gastrointestinal bleeding

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is defi ned as bleeding of an unknown origin that persists or recurs after negative initial upper and lower endoscopies. Several techniques, such as endoscopy, arteriography, scintigraphy and barium radiology are helpful for recognizing the bleeding source; nevertheless, in about 5%-10% of cases the bleeding lesion cannot be determined. The development of videocapsule endoscopy (VCE) has permitted a direct visualization of the small intestine mucosa. We will analyze those techniques in more detail. The diagnostic yield of CE for OGIB varies from 38% to 93%, being in the higher range in those cases with obscure-overt bleeding.

Small bowel capsule endoscopy in patients with cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators:Outcome analysis using telemetry review

AIM:To determine if there were any interactions between cardiac devices and small bowel capsules secondary to electromagnetic interference (EMI) in patients who have undergone small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE).METHODS:Authors conducted a chart review of 20 patients with a cardiac pacemaker (CP) or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) who underwent continuous electrocardiographic monitoring during their SBCE from 2003-2008.authors searched for unexplained electrocardiogram (ECG) findings,changes in CP andICD set parameters,any abnormality in transmitted capsule data,and adverse clinical events.RESULTS:There were no adverse events or hemodynamically significant arrhythmias reported.CP and ICD set parameters were preserved.The majority of ECG abnormalities were also found in pre-or post-SBCE ECG tracings and the CP behavior during arrhythmias appeared appropriate.Two patients seemed to have episodes of undersensing by the CP.However,similar findings were documented in ECGs taken outside the time frame of the SBCE.One patient was observed to have a low signal encountered from the capsule resulting in lack of localization,but no images were lost.CONCLUSION:Capsule-induced EMI remains a possibility but is unlikely to be clinically important.CPinduced interference of SBCE is also possible,but is infrequent and does not result in loss of images transmitted by the capsule.

Wireless capsule endoscopy and proximal small bowel lesions in Crohn’s disease

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of proximal small bowel (SB) lesions detected by wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) in Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: WCE was performed in 64 patients: 32 with CD of the distal ileum, and 32 controls with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) or diarrhea. WCE was performed using the Given SB-WCE, followed by small intestine contrast ultrasonography (SICUS). Findings compatible with CD by using WCE included erosions, aphthoid or deep ulcers, and strictures/stenosis. RESULTS: WCE detected proximal SB lesions in 16/32 (50%) patients (14 aphthoid ulcers, 2 deep ulcers, one stricture), which appeared not to be related to clinical parameters [epigastric pain, age, smoking, non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), IDA]. Among patients with proximal SB lesions, 6 (37%) were smokers, 3 (19%) NSAID users, 3 (19%) had epigastric pain and 4 (25%) had IDA. SICUS detected proximal SB lesions in 3/32 patients (19%) also showing lesions with WCE. No correlations were observed between proximal SB lesions assessed by WCE or by SICUS (χ2 = 1.5, P = 0.2). CONCLUSION: The use of WCE allows the detection of previously unknown upper SB lesions in a high proportion of patients with a previous diagnosis of CD involving the distal ileum.

OMOM capsule endoscopy in diagnosis of small bowel disease

Objective： To assess the diagnostic efficiency of OMOM capsule endoscopy （CE） in a group of patients with different indications. Methods： Data from 89 consecutive patients （49 males, 40 females） with suspected small bowel disease who underwent OMOM CE （Jinshan Science and Technology Company, review. The patients＇ indications of the disease consisted of the Chongqing, China） examination were obtained by retrospective following： obscure gastrointestinal bleeding （OGIB）, abdominal pain or diarrhea, partial intestinal obstruction, suspected inflammatory bowel disease, tumor of unknown origin, hypoproteinemia, constipation, weight loss, and elevated tumor markers. Results： CE failed in one patient. Visualization of the entire small bowel was achieved in 75.0%. Capsules were naturally excreted by all patients. The detection rate of abnormalities was 70.5% for patients with suspected small bowel disease, and the diagnostic yield for patients with OGIB was higher than that for patients with abdominal pain or diarrhea （85.7% vs 53.3%, P〈0.005）. Angiodysplasia was the most common small bowel finding. Active bleeding sites were noted in the small intestine in 11 cases. Conclusion： OMOM CE is a useful diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of variably suspected small bowel disease, whose diagnostic efficiency is similar to that of the Pillcam SB （small bowel） CE （Given Imaging, Yoqneam, Israel）.

Diagnostic yield of small bowel capsule endoscopy depends on the small bowel transit time

AIM： To investigate whether the small bowel transit time （SBTT） influences the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy （CE）. METHODS： Six hundred and ninety-one consecutive CE procedures collected in a database were analyzed. SBTT and CE findings were recorded. A running mean for the SBl-I- was calculated and correlated to the diagnostic yield with a Spearman＇s correlation test. Subgroup anal- yses were performed for the various indications for the procedure. RESULTS： There was a positive correlation between the diagnostic yield and SBT1- （Spearman＇s rho 0.58, P 〈 0.01）. Positive correlations between diagnostic yield and SB-FI-were found for the indication obscure gastro- intestinal bleeding （r = 0.54, P 〈 0.01）, for polyposis and carcinoid combined （r = 0.56, P 〈 0.01） and for the other indications （r = 0.90, P 〈0.01）, but not for suspected Crohn＇s disease （r = -0.40） CONCLUSION： The diagnostic yield in small bowel capsule endoscopy is positively correlated with the small bowel transit time. This is true for all indications except for suspected Crohn＇s disease.

Diagnostic effect of capsule endoscopy in 31 cases of subacute small bowel obstruction

AIM： TO evaluate the effectiveness and safety of capsule endoscopy （CE） in patients with recurrent subacute small bowel obstruction.METHODS： The study was a retrospective analysis of 31 patients referred to hospital from January 2003 to August 2008 for the investigation of subacute small bowel obstruction, who underwent CE. The patients were aged 9-81 years, and all of them had undergone gastroscopy and colonoscopy previously. Some of them received abdominal computed tomography or small bowel follow-through.RESULTS： CE made a definitive diagnosis in 12 （38.7%） of 31 cases： four Crohn＇s disease （CD）, two carcinomas, one intestinal tuberculosis, one ischemic enteritis, one abdominal cocoon, one duplication of the intestine,one diverticulum and one ileal polypoid tumor. Capsule retention occurred in three （9.7%） of 31 patients, and was caused by CD （2） or tumor （1）. Two with retained capsules were retrieved at surgery, and the other one of the capsules was spontaneously passed the stricture by medical treatment in 6 too. No case had an acute small bowel obstruction caused by performance of CE.CONCLUSION： CE provided safe and effective visualization to identify the etiology of a subacute small bowel obstruction, especially in patients with suspected intestinal tumors or CD, which are not identified by routine examinations.

Capsule endoscopy in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-enteropathy and miscellaneous,rare intestinal diseases

Despite significant advances over the last decade, mucosal lesions of the small bowel are poorly detected by imaging studies such as CT scan, MRI-enteroclysis and contrast-enhanced abdominal ultrasound. Capsule endoscopy (CE) has dramatically changed the diagnostic approach to intestinal diseases. Moreover, the use of CE can be extended to include other conditions. However, it is diffi cult to assess the positive influence of CE on patient outcomes in conditions involving a small number of patients, or in critically ill and diff icult to examine patients. CE has the advantage of diagnosing intestinal lesions and of directing the use of double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in order to obtain biopsy specimens. Moreover, CE allows repeated assessment in chronic conditions, especially to detect relapse of an infectious disease.

Prospective evaluation of small bowel preparation with bisacodyl and sodium phosphate for capsule endoscopy

AIM： To determine the effect of Prepacol, a combination of sodium phosphate and bisacodyl, on transit and quality of capsule endoscopy （CE）. METHODS： Fivety two consecutive patients were included in this prospective study. CE was performed following a 12 h fasting period. Twenty six patients were randomized for additional preparation with Prepacol. The quality of CE was assessed separately for the proximal and the distal small bowel by 3 experienced endoscopists on the basis of a graduation which was initially developed with 20 previous CE. RESULTS： Preparation with Prepacol accelerated small bowel transit time （262 ± 55 rain vs 287 ± 97 min）, but had no effect on the quality of CE. Visibility was significantly reduced in the distal compared to the proximal small bowel. CONCLUSION： The significantly reduced visibility of CE in the distal small bowel allocates the need for a good preparation. Since Prepacol has no beneficial effect on CE the modality of preparation and the ideal time of application remains unclear. Further standardized examinations are necessary to identify sufficient preparation procedures and to determine the impact of the volume of the preparation solution.

Finding the solution for incomplete small bowel capsule endoscopy

AIM:To evaluate whether the use of real time viewer(RTV)and administration of domperidone to patients with delayed gastric passage of the capsule could reduce the rate of incomplete examinations(IE)and improve the diagnostic yield of small bowel capsule endoscopy(SBCE).METHODS:Prospective single center interventional study,from June 2012 to February 2013.Capsule location was systematically checked one hour after ingestion using RTV.If it remained in the stomach,the patient received 10 mg domperidone per os and the location of the capsule was rechecked after 30 min.If the capsule remained in the stomach a second dose of10 mg of domperidone was administered orally.After another 30 min the position was rechecked and if the capsule remained in the stomach,it was passed into the duodenum by upper gastrointestinal(GI)endoscopy.The rate of IE and diagnostic yield of SBCE were compared with those of examinations performed before the use of RTV or domperidone in our Department(control group,January 2009-May 2012).RESULTS:Both groups were similar regarding age,sex,indication,inpatient status and surgical history.The control group included 307 patients,with 48(15.6%)IE.The RTV group included 82 patients,with3(3.7%)IE,P=0.003.In the control group,average gastric time was significantly longer in patients with IE than in patients with complete examination of the small bowel(77 min vs 26 min,P=0.003).In the RTV group,the capsule remained in the stomach one hour after ingestion in 14/82 patients(17.0%)vs 48/307(15.6%)in the control group,P=0.736.Domperidone did not significantly affect small bowel transit time(260min vs 297 min,P=0.229).The capsule detected positive findings in 39%of patients in the control group and 49%in the RTV group(P=0.081).CONCLUSION:The use of RTV and selective administration of domperidone to patients with delayed gastric passage of the capsule significantly reduces incomplete examinations,with no effect on small bowel transit time or diagnostic yield.