Endoscopic characteristics of small intestinal malignant tumors observed by balloon-assisted enteroscopy

BACKGROUND Capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted enteroscopy(BAE) enable visualization of rare small bowel conditions such as small intestinal malignant tumors.However,details of the endoscopic characteristics of small intestinal malignant tumors are still unknown.AIM To elucidate the endoscopic characteristics of small intestinal malignant tumors.METHODS From March 2005 to February 2017,1329 BAE procedures were performed at Keio University Hospital. Of these procedures,malignant tumors were classified into three groups,Group 1: epithelial tumors including primary small intestinal cancer,metastatic small intestinal cancer,and direct small intestinal invasion by an adjacent organ cancer; Group 2: small intestinal malignant lymphoma; and Group 3,small intestinal gastrointestinal stromal tumors. We systematically collected clinical and endoscopic data from patients' medical records to determine the endoscopic characteristics for each group.RESULTS The number of patients in each group was 16(Group 1),23(Group 2),and 6(Group 3),and the percentage of solitary tumors was 100%,43.5%,and 100%,respectively(P < 0.001). Patients' clinical background parameters including age,symptoms,and laboratory data were not significantly different between the groups. Seventy-five percent of epithelial tumors(Group 1) were located in the upper small intestine(duodenum and ileum),and approximately 70% of gastrointestinal stromal tumors(Group 3) were located in the jejunum. Solitary protruding or mass-type tumors were not seen in malignant lymphoma(Group2)(P < 0.001). Stenosis was seen more often in Group 1,(68.8%,27.3%,and 0%;Group 1,2,and 3,respectively; P = 0.004). Enlarged white villi inside and/or surrounding the tumor were seen in 12.5%,54.5%,and 0% in Group 1,2,and 3,respectively(P = 0.001).CONCLUSION The differential diagnosis of small intestinal malignant tumors could be tentatively made based on BAE findings.

Balloon-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection for treating small intestinal lipomas:Report of two cases

BACKGROUND Most small intestinal lipomas are treated surgically,and some require repeated surgeries for multiple lipomas.However,application of endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)technology in the deep small intestine is rarely reported owing to the special anatomical structure of the small intestine,medical equipment limitations,and the lack of relevant experience among endoscopists.CASE SUMMARY Two patients with small intestinal lipomas treated at the Air Force Medical Center from November 2015 to September 2019 were selected to undergo balloonassisted ESD to treat the lipomas and explore the technical feasibility and safety of ESD for treating small intestinal lipomas.The two patients successfully underwent balloon-assisted ESD to treat four small intestinal lipomas,with a complete resection rate of 100%(4/4),without intraoperative or postoperative bleeding,perforation,or other complications.After 3-6 mo of postoperative follow-up,the clinical symptoms caused by the lipomas were significantly relieved or disappeared after treatment.CONCLUSION Balloon-assisted ESD is a safe and reliable new method for treating deep intestinal lipomas and shows good clinical feasibility.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Anesthetic management for small bowel enteroscopy in a World Gastroenterology Organization Endoscopy Training Center

AIM:To study the anesthetic management of patients undergoing small bowel enteroscopy in the World Gastroenterology Organization(WGO) Endoscopy Training Center in Thailand.METHODS:Patients who underwent small bowel enteroscopy during the period of March 2005 to March 2011 in Siriraj Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center were retrospectively analyzed.The patients' characteristics,pre-anesthetic problems,anesthetic techniques,anesthetic agents,anesthetic time,type and route of procedure and anesthesia-related complications were assessed.RESULTS:One hundred and forty-four patients underwent this procedure during the study period.The mean age of the patients was 57.6 ± 17.2 years,andmost were American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA) class Ⅱ(53.2%).Indications for this procedure were gastrointestinal bleeding(59.7%),chronic diarrhea(14.3%),protein losing enteropathy(2.6%) and others(23.4%).Hematologic disease,hypertension,heart disease and electrolyte imbalance were the most common pre-anesthetic problems.General anesthesia with endotracheal tube was the anesthetic technique mainly employed(50.6%).The main anesthetic agents administered were fentanyl,propofol and midazolam.The mean anesthetic time was 94.0 ± 50.5 min.Single balloon and oral(antegrade) intubation was the most common type and route of enteroscopy.The anesthesia-related complication rate was relatively high.The overall and cardiovascular-related complication rates including hypotension in the older patient group(aged ≥ 60 years old) were significantly higher than those in the younger group.CONCLUSION:During anesthetic management for small bowel enteroscopy,special techniques and drugs are not routinely required.However,for safety reasons anesthetic personnel need to optimize the patient's condition.

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.

Small bowel polypectomy by double balloon enteroscopy:Correlation with prior capsule endoscopy

AIM:To investigate the feasibility of small bowel polypectomy using double balloon enteroscopy and to evaluate the correlation with capsule endoscopy(CE).METHODS:This is a retrospective review of a single tertiary hospital.Twenty-five patients treated by enteroscopy for small bowel polyps diagnosed by CE or other imaging techniques were included.The correlation between CE and enteroscopy(correlation coefficient of Kendall for the number of polyps,intra-class coefficient for the size and coefficient of correlation kappa for the location) was evaluated.RESULTS:There were 31 polypectomies and 12 endoscopic mucosal resections with limited morbidity and no mortality.Histological analysis revealed 27 hamartomas,6 adenomas and 3 lipomas.Strong agreement between CE and optical enteroscopy was observed for both location(Kappa value:0.90) and polyp size(Kappa value:0.76),but only moderate agreement was found for the number of polyps(Kendall value:0.47).CONCLUSION:Double balloon enteroscopy is safe for performing polypectomy.Previous CE is useful in selecting the endoscopic approach and to predicting the difficulty of the procedure.

Clinical outcomes of enteroscopy using the double-balloon method for strictures of the small intestine

AIM:To evaluate the clinical outcome of enteroscopy, using the double-balloon method, focusing on the involvement of neoplasms in strictures of the small intestine. METHODS: Enteroscopy, using the double-balloon method, was performed between December 1999 and December 2002 at Jichi Medical School Hospital, 3apan and strictures of the small intestine were found in 17 out of 62 patients. These 17 consecutive patients were subjected to analysis. RESULTS: The double-balloon enteroscopy contributed to the diagnosis of small intestinal neoplasms found in 3 out of 17 patients by direct observation of the strictures as well as biopsy sampling. Surgical procedures were chosen for these three patients, while balloon dilation was chosen for the strictures in four patients diagnosed with inflammation without involvement of neoplasm. CONCLUSION: Double-balloon enteroscopy is a useful method for the diagnosis and treatment of strictures in the small bowel.

Video capsule endoscopy vs double-balloon enteroscopy in the diagnosis of small bowel bleeding:A systematic review and metaanalysis

AIM To compare the diagnostic accuracy of video capsule endoscopy(VCE) and double-balloon enteroscopy(DBE) in cases of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding(OGIB) of vascular origin.METHODS MEDLINE(via PubMed), LILACS(via BVS) and Cochrane/CENTRAL virtual databases were searched for studies dated before 2017. We identified prospective and retrospective studies, including observational, cohort, single-blinded and multicenter studies, comparing VCE and DBE for the diagnosis of OGIB, and data of all the vascular sources of bleeding were collected. All patients were subjected to the same gold standard method. Relevant data were then extracted from each included study using a standardized extraction form. We calculated study variables(sensitivity, specificity, prevalence, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy) and performed a meta-analysis using Meta-Disc software.RESULTS In the per-patient analysis, 17 studies(1477 lesions) were included. We identified3150 exams(1722 VCE and 1428 DBE) in 2043 patients and identified 2248 sources of bleeding, 1467 of which were from vascular lesions. Of these lesions, 864(58.5%) were diagnosed by VCE, and 613(41.5%) were diagnosed by DBE. The pretest probability for bleeding of vascular origin was 54.34%. The sensitivity of DBE was 84%(95%CI: 0.82-0.86; heterogeneity: 78.00%), and the specificity was92%(95%CI: 0.89-0.94; heterogeneity: 92.0%). For DBE, the positive likelihood ratio was 11.29(95%CI: 4.83-26.40; heterogeneity: 91.6%), and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.20(95%CI: 0.15-0.27; heterogeneity: 67.3%). Performing DBE after CE increased the diagnostic yield of vascular lesion by 7%, from 83% to90%.CONCLUSION The diagnostic accuracy of detecting small bowel bleeding from a vascular source is increased with the use of an isolated video capsule endoscope compared with isolated DBE. However, concomitant use increases the detection rate of the bleeding source.

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.

Small intestinal hemolymphangioma treated with enteroscopic injection sclerotherapy: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Hemolymphangiomas are rare malformations composed of both lymphatic and vascular vessels and are located in the pancreas,spleen,mediastinum,etc.Small intestinal hemolymphangioma is extremely rare and often presents as obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.It is rarely diagnosed correctly before the operation.Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy is usually used as a management of bleeding in esophageal varices and was occasionally reported as a treatment of vascular malformation.The treatment of small intestinal hemolymphangioma with enteroscopic injection sclerotherapy has not been reported.CASE SUMMARY A 42-year-old male complained of recurrent episodes of melena and dizziness,fatigue and reduced exercise capacity for more than 2 mo.Gastroduodenoscopy and blood test revealed a gastric ulcer and anemia.Treatment with oral protonpump inhibitors and iron did not improve symptoms.We then performed a capsule endoscopy and anterograde balloon-assisted enteroscopy and revealed a hemolymphangioma.Considering it is a benign tumor without malignant potential,we performed enteroscopic injection sclerotherapy.He was discharged 4 days later.At follow-up 3 mo later,the melena disappeared.Balloon-assisted enteroscopy revealed an atrophied tumor atrophied and no bleeding.Argon plasma coagulation was applied to the surface of the hemolymphangioma to accelerated healing.When he returned for follow-up 1 year later,anemia was resolved and the tumor had been cured.CONCLUSION Balloon-assisted enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy are effective methods for diagnosis of hemolymphangioma.Enteroscopic injection sclerotherapy is an effective treatment.

A case of small bowel adenocarcinoma in a patient with Crohn’s disease detected by PET/CT and double-balloon enteroscopy

Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) is quite rare, difficult to diagnose without surgery, and has a poor prognosis. Here, we report a 48-year-old man with SBA and a 21-year history of CD who was diagnosed by a combination of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE). Since the age of 27 years, the patient had been treated for ileal CD and was referred to our hospital with persistent melena. Multiple hepatic tumors were found by CT. PET/CT detected an accumulation spot in the small bowel. DBE revealed an ulcerative tumor in the ileum about 100 cm from the ileocecal valve. An endoscopic forceps biopsy specimen showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. There were some longitudinal ulcer scars near the tumor, and the chronic inflammation inthe small bowel appeared to be associated with the cancer development. Previous reports suggest the risk of SBA in patients with CD is higher than in the overall population. Since early diagnosis is extremely difficult in these cases, novel techniques, such as PET/CT and DBE, may be expected to help in making a preoperative diagnosis of the development of SBA in CD.

Double-balloon enteroscopy reliably directs surgical intervention for patients with small intestinal bleeding

AIM: To evaluate preoperative double-balloon enteroscopy for determining bleeding lesions of small intestine, thus directing selective surgical intervention. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 56 patients who underwent double-balloon enteroscopy to localize intestinal bleeding prior to surgical intervention, and compared enteroscopic findings with those of intraoperation to determine the accuracy of enteroscopy in identifying and localizing the sites of small intestinal bleeding. RESULTS: Double-balloon enteroscopy was performed in all 56 patients in a 30-mo period. A possible site of blood loss was identified in 54 (96%) patients. Enteroscopy provided accurate localization of the bleeding in 53 (95%) of 56 patients, but failed to disclose the cause of bleeding in 4 (7%). There was one case with negative intraoperative finding (2%). Resection of the affected bowel was carried out except one patient who experienced rebleeding after operation. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) was most frequently diagnosed (55%). CONCLUSION: Double-balloon enteroscopy is a safe, reliable modality for determining bleeding lesion of small intestine. This technique can be used to direct selective surgical intervention.

Enteroscopy in small bowel Crohn's disease: A review

Crohn's disease(CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract resulting in inflammation, stricturing and fistulae secondary to transmural inflammation. Diagnosis relies on clinical history, abnormal laboratory parameters, characteristic radiologic and endoscopic changes within the gastrointestinal tract and most importantly a supportive histology. The article is intended mainly for the general gastroenterologist and for other interested physicians. Management of small bowel CD has been suboptimal and limited due to the inaccessibility of the small bowel.Enteroscopy has had a significant renaissance recently, thereby extending the reach of the endoscopist,aiding diagnosis and enabling therapeutic interventions in the small bowel. Radiologic imaging is used as the first line modality to visualise the small bowel. If the clinical suspicion is high, wireless capsule endoscopy(WCE) is used to rule out superficial and early disease, despite the above investigations being normal. This is followed by push enteroscopy or device assisted enteroscopy(DAE) as is appropriate. This approach has been found to be the most cost effective and least invasive. DAE includes balloon-assisted enteroscopy, [double balloon enteroscopy(DBE), single balloon enteroscopy(SBE) and more recently spiral enteroscopy(SE)]. This review is not going to cover the various other indications of enteroscopy, radiological small bowel investigations nor WCE and limited only to enteroscopy in small bowel Crohn's. These excluded topics already have comprehensive reviews.Evidence available from randomized controlled trials comparing the various modalities is limited and at best regarded as Grade C or D(based on expert opinion).The evidence suggests that all three DAE modalities have comparable insertion depths, diagnostic and therapeutic efficacies and complication rates, though most favour DBE due to higher rates of total enteroscopy. SE is quicker than DBE, but lower complete enteroscopy rates. SBE has quicker procedural times and is evolving but the least available DAE today. Larger prospective randomised controlled trial's in the future could help us understand some unanswered areas including the role of BAE in small bowel screening and comparative studies between the main types of enteroscopy in small bowel CD.

Role of double-balloon enteroscopy in malignant small bowel tumors

AIM: To assess the double-balloon enteroscopy(DBE) role in malignant small bowel tumors(MSBT).METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive study performed in a single center. All consecutive patients who underwent a DBE with final diagnosis of a malignant neoplasm from 2004 to 2014 in our referral center were included. Patient demographic and clinical pathological characteristics were recorded and reviewed. MSBT diagnosis was achieved either by DBE directed biopsy with multiple tissue sampling, endoscopic findings or histological analysis of surgical specimen. We have analyzed double-balloon enteroscopy impact in outcome and clinical course of these patients. RESULTS: Of 627 patients, 28(4.5%)(mean age = 60 ± 17.3 years) underwent 30 procedures(25 anterograde, 5 retrograde) and were diagnosed of a malignant tumor. Patients presented with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding(n = 19, 67.9%), occlusion syndrome(n = 7, 25%) and diarrhea(n = 1, 3.6%). They were diagnosed by DBE biopsy(n = 18, 64.3%), histological analysis of surgical specimen(n = 7, 25%) and unequivocal endoscopic findings(n = 2, 7.1%). Gastrointestinal stromal tumor(n = 8, 28.6%), adenocarcinoma(n = 7, 25%), lymphoma(n = 4, 14.3%), neuroendocrine tumor(n = 4, 14.3%), metastatic(n = 3, 10.7%) and Kaposi sarcoma(n = 1, 3.6%) were identified. DBE modified outcome in 7 cases(25%), delaying or avoiding emergency surgery(n = 3), modifying surgery approach(n = 2) and indicating emergency SB partial resection instead of elective approach(n = 2).CONCLUSION: DBE may be critical in the management of MSBT providing additional information that may be decisive in the clinical course of these patients.

疑似小肠出血患者双气囊小肠镜全小肠对接检查的临床研究

背景:双气囊小肠镜(DBE)全小肠对接检查在疑似小肠出血(SSBB)患者诊治中发挥重要作用。目的:调查SSBB患者DBE全小肠对接检查情况并分析其临床特征。方法:纳入2018年6月—2023年4月安徽省蚌埠市第三人民医院和安徽医科大学第一附属医院需行DBE对接检查的94例SSBB患者,并分析其临床特征。结果:共54例SSBB患者完成DBE全小肠对接检查,对接成功率为57.4%。因发现出血病变而中止对接检查者10例(10.6%),肠腔狭窄而中止对接检查者5例(5.3%),操作中出现进镜困难而中止对接检查者25例(26.5%)。SSBB患者DBE全小肠对接率与不同对接时间、医师既往小肠镜操作例数有关(P<0.05),而与患者性别、年龄、出血表现形式、烟酒嗜好、营养风险、腹部手术史、肛周病变、自身免疫病、术前贫血、术前白蛋白水平、进镜途径均无关(P>0.05)。ROC曲线结果显示,先进镜深度的截断值为385 cm时,评估SSBB患者完成全小肠对接检查的敏感性为72.2%,特异性为77.5%,曲线下面积为0.800(95%CI:0.705~0.875,P<0.001)。结论:SSBB患者DBE全小肠对接率与不同对接时间、医师既往小肠镜操作例数有关。先进镜深度达到385 cm以上,80%的SSBB患者有望实现全小肠对接检查。

气囊辅助式小肠镜在诊断Meckel憩室中的应用价值

目的:探讨气囊辅助式小肠镜及其他不同检查方法对小肠Meckel憩室的诊断价值。方法:回顾性分析2010年1月—2023年12月于南京医科大学第一附属医院确诊为小肠Meckel憩室的87例患者,收集患者的一般资料、临床表现、诊断方法、治疗及病理结果等资料,总结归纳临床特征,比较气囊辅助式小肠镜与其他检查方法对小肠Meckel憩室的诊断价值。结果:87例小肠Meckel憩室患者中,55例合并消化道出血、肠梗阻、憩室炎、肠穿孔等并发症。与无并发症患者相比,伴并发症患者中位年龄较小(P=0.003),憩室直径更长[(5.2±2.6)cm vs.(3.3±1.4)cm,P=0.001],开口更宽[(2.4±1.1)cm vs.(1.6±0.7)cm,P=0.002],手术率也更高(89.1%vs.56.3%,P <0.001)。不同检查方法的诊断灵敏度分别为:气囊辅助式小肠镜94.4%,核素显像(异位胃黏膜显像)58.3%,胶囊内镜30.0%,小肠CT 9.4%,腹部CT 8.2%,数字减影血管造影0。结论:年轻患者、憩室直径长、开口宽的小肠Meckel憩室更易合并憩室炎、穿孔、出血、梗阻等并发症。气囊辅助式小肠镜对Meckel憩室的术前诊断价值最高,应作为疑诊小肠Meckel憩室患者的首选检查方法。