Diagnostic and therapeutic yield of single balloon enteroscopy in patients with suspected small-bowel disease: results of the Italian multicentre study

Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndromes: Small Bowel Cancer Risk and Endoscopic Surveillance Strategies

Background: Hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes, including familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), Lynch syndrome (LS), and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), are associated with an increased risk of small bowel cancer (SBC). Due to the low incidence and non-specific presentation of SBC, effective surveillance strategies are essential for early detection and management. This review aims to evaluate and compare current endoscopic techniques for small bowel surveillance in these patients. Methods: A comprehensive review was conducted using peer-reviewed studies sourced from PubMed. Various endoscopic modalities, including capsule endoscopy (CE), device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE), and intraoperative enteroscopy (IOE), were assessed for their diagnostic yield, safety, and clinical utility. Surveillance recommendations of the different syndromes were also examined. Results: CE offers high sensitivity but lacks histological sampling capability. DAE, including double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE), enables direct visualization, biopsy, and therapeutic interventions, albeit with greater procedural complexity. In FAP, duodenal surveillance follows the Spigelman classification to stratify cancer risk, while jejunal and ileal polyps remain less studied. LS patients have an increased SBC risk, warranting tailored endoscopic approaches. In PJS, surveillance aims to mitigate intussusception risks and allow early malignancy detection. Conclusions: Optimized surveillance strategies in hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes require a multimodal approach, integrating advanced endoscopic techniques with genetic risk stratification. Centralized care in tertiary centers improves outcomes by ensuring standardized surveillance protocols and enhancing early cancer detection. Artificial intelligence (AI) applied to CE and DAE is shaping promising prospects for the future surveillance of small bowel polyps by enhancing diagnostic accuracy and reducing the duration of the diagnostic process. Further research should investigate AI-assisted imaging and molecular biomarkers to optimize screening strategies.

The evolving role of device-assisted enteroscopy: The state of the art as of August 2023

Device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE), balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) in particular, has become a routine endoscopic procedure which has revolutionized our approach to small-bowel disease. Evidence demonstrating the efficacy and safety of BAE spans over 22-years of experience, making it an established pillar of minimally invasive care. The robust evidence for BAE's safety and efficacy has now been incorporated into international clinical guidelines, technical reviews, benchmarking performance measures and curricula. The more recently introduced motorized spiral enteroscopy (MSE) which had replaced the previous manual version, abruptly ended its 7-year stint in clinical practice, when it was withdrawn and recalled from the market by its manufacturing company in July 2023, due to several associated serious adverse events (including fatalities). This article, written by the original developer of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and other recognized international experts and pioneers in this field, focuses mainly on the technical aspects, evolving indications, and equipment-related technological advances. Despite the very recent withdrawal of MSE from clinical practice, for completeness, this technology and its technique is still briefly covered here, albeit importantly, along with a short description of reported, associated, serious adverse events which have contributed to its withdrawal/recall from the market and clinical practice.

Efficacy and Safety of Small Bowel Submucosal Tumors Treated by Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection or Endoscopic Full-thickness Resection During Single-balloon Enteroscopy: Prospective Data From a Single-center Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) is a safe and effective modality for the diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of small bowel disorders. However, the efficacy and safety of treating small bowel submucosal tumors (SMTs) with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) during SBE have not been determined. Hence, the primary aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the therapeutic yield of SBE in patients with SMTs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-one patients with SMTs were enrolled in this study. Regarding the sex distribution, there were 12 men (57.1%) and 9 women (42.9%). Regarding the age distribution, 42.9% of the patients were 60 years old or older and 57.1% of the patients were under 60 years old. The preoperative characteristics of SMTs were summarized and analyzed, the complete resection incidence of SMTs was determined, and the incidence of postoperative complications was collected. ESD-related and EFTR-related complications and the duration of follow-up after leaving hospital were also summarized and analyzed. The efficacy and safety of SMTs treated by ESD or EFTR during SBE were calculated as percentages.

RESULTS

Among the 21 patients, 10 (47.6%) underwent EFTR and 11 (52.4%) underwent ESD. The mean diameter of SMTs was 113.50 mm (range: 80 to 160 mm). Anterograde and retrograde SBE were conducted in 11 and 10 patients, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 49.3 days (range: 6.0 to 129 d). The complete resection rate of SMTs was 100%. The complete suture rate of SMTs wound was 100%. The SMTs pathology of all patients showed that the margin-negative (R0) resection was 100%. The incidence of physical discomfort complications (ie, infection/fever, abdominal pain, and abdominal distension) of ESD and EFTR was 5 (23.8%) on day 1, 1 (4.8%) on day 2, and 1 (4.8%) on day 3 after operation. Only 1 (4.8%) patient with EFTR had abdominal pain on the sixth day after leaving hospital, and the visual analog scale/score was 1 point, meaning the pain was easily tolerated by the patient. Twenty (95.2%) patients had no abdominal discomfort after leaving hospital. No patients needed additional surgery because of complications after ESD or EFTR during SBE.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary study showed that SMTs can be safely and effectively treated by ESD or EFTR during SBE, particularly SMTs <160 mm in diameter.

Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with chronic kidney disease

Recurrent obscure gastrointestinal bleeding amongst patients with chronic kidney disease is a challenging problem gastroenterologists are facing and is associated with an extensive diagnostic workup, limited therapeutic options, and high healthcare costs. Small-bowel angiodysplasia is the most common etiology of obscure and recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding in the general population. Chronic kidney disease is associated with a higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and of developing angiodysplasia compared with the general population. As a result, recurrent bleeding in this subgroup of patients is more prevalent and is associated with an increased number of endoscopic and radiographic procedures with uncertain benefit. Alternative medical therapies can reduce re-bleeding; however, more studies are needed to confirm their efficacy in this subgroup of patients.

Update on small bowel surveillance in hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes

Despite its rarity in the general population, small bowel adenocarcinoma risk is increased in individuals with hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes (HCCS). In the last decade, the advent of capsule endoscopy and device-assisted balloon enteroscopy procedures in patients with HCCS have allowed to investigate the whole small bowel, increasing the diagnostic yield of small bowel tumor. Nonetheless, there is a significant variability in the international guideline recommendations. The aim of this review is to provide an update on surveillance of small bowel in HCCS and to identify the key points for the clinical management of these patients.

Locations and Mucosal Lesions Responsible for Major Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients on Warfarin or Dabigatran

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Different oral anticoagulants may be associated with gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) from different locations or mucosal lesions. We aimed to test this hypothesis.

METHODS

Two blinded gastroenterologists independently analyzed source documents from the randomized evaluation of long-term anticoagulant therapy (RE-LY) trial of dabigatran 150 mg BID (D150), dabigatran 110 mg BID (D110) versus warfarin in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

RESULTS

Major GIB events (total n = 546) and life-threatening GIB events (n = 258) were more common with D150 versus warfarin (RR 1.57 [1.28-1.92] and RR 1.62 [1.20-2.18], respectively) and similar for D110 compared to warfarin (RR 1.11 [0.89-1.38] and RR 1.16 [0.84-1.61], respectively). Fatal bleeding was similarly rare across treatment groups. Lower GI major bleeding and life-threatening bleeding were more common with D150 compared to warfarin (RR 2.23 [1.47, 3.38] and RR 2.64 [1.36, 5.13], respectively) and with D110 compared to warfarin (RR 1.78 [1.16, 2.75] and RR 2.00 [1.00, 4.00], respectively). MGIB from colonic angiodysplasia was increased with dabigatran versus warfarin (P < 0.01 for both dose comparisons). Subacute and chronic MGIB events were more common with D150 than with warfarin (RR 1.72 [1.06, 2.78] and RR 1.66 [1.12, 2.45], respectively), as were hematochezia or melena (RR 1.67 [1.18, 2.36] and RR 1.72 [1.20, 2.47], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In a chronic NVAF population, D150 but not D110 is associated with increased major and life-threatening GI bleeding in comparison with warfarin. At both dabigatran doses, increased bleeding from the colorectum, in particular from angiodysplasia, is seen.

The Use of Balloon-assisted Enteroscopy at a Large Volume Centre: A Retrospective Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) is increasingly used for the evaluation of small bowel disorders. We quantified local diagnostic and therapeutic yields of BAE in patients with suspected small bowel diseases.

METHODS

Adult patients undergoing BAE between January 2010 and July 2015 at McGill University Health Centre were included. Procedures were identified using a prospectively maintained database. Patients were excluded if procedure report was unavailable. Electronic medical records were reviewed. Analyses were restricted to patients who did not have a previous BAE.

RESULTS

BAE was performed in 453 patients, including 421 anterograde cases. Patients had a mean age of 61.0 ± 17.5 years. Most common indications for referral were obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) (n=207, 45.7%), abnormal imaging (n=88, 19.4%), suspected small bowel neoplasia (SBN) (n=39, 8.6%) and Crohn's disease (CD) (n=31, 6.8%). A diagnosis was established in 216 procedures (47.7%). A pre-endoscopic indication of CD (odds ratio [OR]: 3.78; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.60-8.90), OGIB (OR: 3.69, 95% CI, 2.03-6.71), suspected SBN (OR: 2.45; 95% CI, 1.06-5.65) and previous VCE (OR: 9.33; 95% CI, 3.24-26.90) were associated with abnormal findings. A therapeutic procedure was performed in 126 cases (28.3%). OGIB (OR: 7.00; 95% CI, 3.83-12.81), previous video capsule endoscopy (VCE) (OR: 7.86; 95% CI, 2.93-21.04) and suspected SBN (OR: 6.30; 95% CI, 2.58-21.04) were associated with performance of a therapeutic intervention. Complication rate was 1.6%, with bleeding in seven cases and one perforation.

CONCLUSIONS

In carefully selected patients, such as those with OGIB, Crohn's disease and previous VCE, BAE was a safe procedure that led to the identification of abnormal findings and therapeutic interventions.

Single-balloon enteroscopy efficacy and degree of concordance with noninvasive evaluation of small bowel

Background and study aims Clinical impact of single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) is fairly known, as well as its diagnostic yield comparing with other small bowel gastrointestinal investigations. This study represents a contribution to better understand it and is designed to evaluate SBE efficacy and degree of concordance with previous evaluation of small bowel. Patients and methods This is a single-center retrospective study of patients that underwent SBE with suspected small bowel disease based on non-invasive imaging. Demographic, clinical, procedural and outcome data were collected for analysis. Agreement beyond positive findings was evaluated using κ-coefficient. Results A total of 197 SBEs were performed in 168 patients; mainly men (64.3 %) with mean age 53.3±17.6 years. Most SBEs (86.3 %) performed were preceded by a noninvasive evaluation: in 61.4 % (n = 119) of cases, capsule enteroscopy (CE) was performed, in 18.8 % (n = 37), computed tomography was performed, and in 6.1 % (n = 12) magnetic resonance enterography was performed. Fourty-three patients (25.6 %) underwent endoscopic treatments, mainly: argon plasma coagulation in angioectasias (53.4 %) and polypectomy (34.9 %). The most common diagnoses made with SBE were findings consistent with inflammatory small bowel disease (21.8 %) and vascular lesions (14.2 %). The diagnostic yield of SBE was of 69 %, confirming the suspicion of small bowel disease. The degree of concordance between CE and SBE for positive findings was substantial, κ-coefficient = 0.635 (P < 0.001). However, the degree of concordance between imaging examinations (CT or MR) and SBE was only moderate, κ-coefficient = 0.410 (P < 0.001). SBE had an immediate effect in 20 % of patients, changing diagnostic approaches, medical and surgical treatments. Conclusions Our study supports the idea that for suspected small bowel disease, CE and SBE have an overall good degree of concordance for all the diagnostics included.

Neoplastic Diseases of the Small Bowel

The incidence of small bowel tumors is increasing over time. Until recently, their diagnosis was delayed and it was often reached only at the time of surgery. New diagnostic tools, such as capsule endoscopy, device-assisted enteroscopy, and dedicated small bowel cross-sectional imaging techniques, have been introduced recently in clinical practice. The combination of these tools allows medical practitioners to detect small bowel tumors at an early stage and to reach a definite diagnosis before surgery, thus enabling minimally invasive treatments.

Systematic review: Safety of balloon assisted enteroscopy in Crohn's disease

AIM

To determine the overall and comparative risk of procedure related perforation of balloon assisted enteroscopy (BAE) in Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODS

Systematic review (PROSPERO #CRD42015016381) of studies reporting on CD patients undergoing BAE. Seventy-three studies reporting on 1812 patients undergoing 2340 BAEs were included. Primary outcome of interest was the overall and comparative risk of procedure related perforation of diagnostic BAE in CD. Secondary outcomes of interest were risk of procedure related perforation of diagnostic double balloon enteroscopy (DBE), risk of procedure related perforation of therapeutic BAE, efficacy of stricture dilation, and clinical utility of endoscopically assessing small bowel disease activity.

RESULTS

Per procedure perforation rate of diagnostic BAE in CD was 0.15% (95%CI: 0.05-0.45), which was similar to diagnostic BAE for all indications (0.11%; IRR = 1.41, 95%CI: 0.28-4.50). Per procedure perforation rate of diagnostic DBE in CD was 0.12% (95%CI: 0.03-0.44), which was similar to diagnostic DBE for all indications (0.22%; IRR = 0.54, 95%CI: 0.06-0.24). Per procedure perforation rate of therapeutic BAE in CD was 1.74% (95%CI: 0.85-3.55). Eighty-six percent of therapeutic perforations were secondary to stricture dilation. Dilation was attempted in 207 patients and 30% required surgery during median follow-up of 18 months. When diagnostic BAE assessed small bowel disease activity, changes in medical therapy resulted in endoscopic improvement in 77% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Diagnostic BAE in CD has a similar rate of perforation as diagnostic BAE for all indications and can be safely performed in assessment of mucosal healing.

Overtube-assisted enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy for the diagnosis of small-bowel polyps and tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Several studies have evaluated the utility of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and capsule endoscopy (CE) for patients with small-bowel disease showing inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of overtube-assisted enteroscopy (OAE) as well as the diagnostic concordance between OAE and CE for small-bowel polyps and tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies in which the results of OAE were compared with the results of CE for the evaluation of small-bowel polyps and tumors. When data for surgically resected lesions were available, the histopathological results of OAE and surgical specimens were compared. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio for the diagnosis of small-bowel polyps and tumors were analyzed. Secondarily, the rates of diagnostic concordance and discordance between OAE and CE were calculated.

RESULTS

There were 15 full-length studies with a total of 821 patients that met the inclusion criteria. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio were as follows: 0.89 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.84 - 0.93), with heterogeneity χ(2) = 41.23 (P = 0.0002) and inconsistency (I (2)) = 66.0 %; 0.97 (95 %CI 0.95 - 0.98), with heterogeneity χ(2) = 45.27 (P = 0.07) and inconsistency (I (2)) = 69.1 %; 16.61 (95 %CI 3.74 - 73.82), with heterogeneity Cochrane's Q = 225.19 (P < 0.01) and inconsistency (I (2)) = 93.8 %; and 0.14 (95 %CI 0.05 - 0.35), with heterogeneity Cochrane's Q = 81.01 (P < .01) and inconsistency (I (2)) = 82.7 %, respectively. A summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) curve was constructed, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.97.

CONCLUSION

OAE is an accurate test for the detection of small-bowel polyps and tumors. OAE and CE have a high diagnostic concordance rate for small-bowel polyps and tumors. This study was registered in the PROSPERO international database (www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/) with the study number CRD42015016000.

ACG Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis and Management of Small Bowel Bleeding

Bleeding from the small intestine remains a relatively uncommon event, accounting for ~5-10% of all patients presenting with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Given advances in small bowel imaging with video capsule endoscopy (VCE), deep enteroscopy, and radiographic imaging, the cause of bleeding in the small bowel can now be identified in most patients. The term small bowel bleeding is therefore proposed as a replacement for the previous classification of obscure GI bleeding (OGIB). We recommend that the term OGIB should be reserved for patients in whom a source of bleeding cannot be identified anywhere in the GI tract. A source of small bowel bleeding should be considered in patients with GI bleeding after performance of a normal upper and lower endoscopic examination. Second-look examinations using upper endoscopy, push enteroscopy, and/or colonoscopy can be performed if indicated before small bowel evaluation. VCE should be considered a first-line procedure for small bowel investigation. Any method of deep enteroscopy can be used when endoscopic evaluation and therapy are required. VCE should be performed before deep enteroscopy if there is no contraindication. Computed tomographic enterography should be performed in patients with suspected obstruction before VCE or after negative VCE examinations. When there is acute overt hemorrhage in the unstable patient, angiography should be performed emergently. In patients with occult hemorrhage or stable patients with active overt bleeding, multiphasic computed tomography should be performed after VCE or CTE to identify the source of bleeding and to guide further management. If a source of bleeding is identified in the small bowel that is associated with significant ongoing anemia and/or active bleeding, the patient should be managed with endoscopic therapy. Conservative management is recommended for patients without a source found after small bowel investigation, whereas repeat diagnostic investigations are recommended for patients with initial negative small bowel evaluations and ongoing overt or occult bleeding.

Capsule endoscopy followed by single balloon enteroscopy in children with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: a combined approach

BACKGROUND

This prospective single-centre study aims to evaluate a new diagnostic algorithm using capsule endoscopy, colon capsule endoscopy and single-balloon enteroscopy in the work-up of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in children.

METHODS

The usefulness of a new diagnostic algorithm was assessed comparing the clinically relevant findings revealed by each technique, and evaluating the clinical outcomes during the follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 22 paediatric patients were evaluated (14 male; mean age 12.5 years ± 3.9). Capsule endoscopies were positive in 14 (63.6%), suspicious in 5 (22.7%) and negative in 3 (13.6%). A second look with colon capsule identified new lesions in 2/3 (67%) of previous negative cases. Enteroscopies were able to reach the positive and suspicious findings in all but 2, in which an intraoperative enteroscopy was needed. This combined approach showed positive findings in 21/22 of cases with a diagnostic yield of 95%. Eighteen patients (82%) had a complete resolution after therapy. One patient resolved his symptoms spontaneously. Despite diagnosis, in three patients (13.6%) the gastrointestinal bleeding was not resolved after therapy.

CONCLUSION

This algorithm achieves optimal levels of diagnostic yield (95%) and therapeutic outcome (82%). This approach deserves to be studied in a larger multicentre cohort of patients and for a longer follow-up period.

Carbon dioxide insufflation improves the intubation depth and total enteroscopy rate in single-balloon enteroscopy: a randomised, controlled, double-blind trial

OBJECTIVE

The total enteroscopy rate of single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) using air insufflation is not satisfactory, and whether carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation increases the total enteroscopy rate of SBE is unknown. This randomised controlled trial aimed to determine whether CO2 insufflation facilitates the intubation depth and total enteroscopy rate of SBE.

DESIGN

A total of 214 eligible patients referred for SBE were randomised to receive either air or CO2 insufflation, and included in the intention-to-test (ITT) analysis. In addition, 199 patients in whom enteroscopy was completed were included in the per-protocol (PP) analysis. Both the patients and endoscopists were blinded, and the intubation depth and total enteroscopy rate were defined as the primary outcomes.

RESULTS

The CO2 group showed a superiority of intubation in the ITT analysis (oral route: 323.8±64.2 vs 238.3±68.6 cm; anal route: 261.6±74.2 vs 174.7±62.1 cm, both p<0.001), and the total enteroscopy rate (34.9% vs 17.6%, p=0.006). Similar results were obtained in a PP analysis for both outcomes. In addition, in the PP analysis, the addition of circumference after the procedure was less in the CO2 group (0.8±0.6 vs 3.3±1.8 cm, p=0.005) for the oral route. No serious complications were reported. The overall percentage of procedures with significant pathological findings was 52.8%; the rates were 58.5% and 47.2% (p=0.100, ITT analysis) in the CO2 and air groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

CO2 insufflation improves the intubation depth and total enteroscopy rate in SBE with a good safety profile and acceptability compared with that of air, and thus is recommended for clinical utilisation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrial.gov identifier: NCT01758900.