Capsule endoscopic detection of bleeding Meckel's diverticulum, with capsule retention in the diverticulum

Small-bowel capsule endoscopy in patients with Meckel's diverticulum: clinical features, diagnostic workup, and findings. A European multicenter I-CARE study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Meckel's diverticulum (MD) may remain silent or be associated with adverse events such as GI bleeding. The main aim of this study was to evaluate indicative small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) findings, and the secondary aim was to describe clinical presentation in patients with MD.

METHODS

This retrospective European multicenter study included patients with MD undergoing SBCE from 2001 until July 2021.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine patients with a confirmed MD were included. Median age was 32 years with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 3:1. GI bleeding or iron-deficiency anemia was present in nearly all patients. Mean hemoglobin was 7.63 ± 1.8 g/dL with a transfusion requirement of 52.2%. Typical capsule endoscopy (CE) findings were double lumen (n = 49 [71%]), visible entrance into the MD (n = 49 [71%]), mucosal webs (n = 30 [43.5%]), and bulges (n = 19 [27.5%]). Two or more of these findings were seen in 48 patients (69.6%). Ulcers were detected in 52.2% of patients (n = 36). In 63.8% of patients (n = 44), a combination of double lumen and visible entrance into the MD was evident, additionally revealing ulcers in 39.1% (n = 27). Mean percent SB transit time for the first indicative image of MD was 57% of the total SB transit time.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of MD is rare and sometimes challenging, and a preoperative criterion standard does not exist. In SBCE, the most frequent findings were double-lumen sign and visible diverticular entrance, sometimes together with ulcers.

Safety and efficacy of small-bowel capsule endoscopy examination in patients with Billroth II gastrojejunostomy

BACKGROUND

Small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) has become an increasingly utilized imaging modality for patients suspected of having small intestinal diseases. However, data regarding the role of SBCE in patients with Billroth II gastrojejunostomy are limited. The objective is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SBCE in Billroth II gastrojejunostomy patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied patients with Billroth II gastrojejunostomy who underwent MiroCam capsule endoscopy between August 2013 and October 2019. Baseline patient characteristics; gastroscopic and SBCE findings; capsule transit time; and the occurrence of adverse events were collected and compared between groups with and without anastomotic lesions.

RESULTS

In total, 30 patients were analyzed in the study. The median age was 59 years, and 26 patients (86.7%) were men. The majority of SBCE positive findings including ulcers (10.0%), angioectasias (6.7%) and polyps (6.7%). In patients with (n = 10) and without (n = 20) anastomotic lesions, the anastomotic lesion was significantly associated with a delayed gastric transit time (GTT) (P = 0.026), but the two groups showed no significant difference in completion (P > 0.05). All patients underwent successful SBCE examinations without adverse events, except device transit into the afferent loop, where it remained for nearly 2 h, occurred in one case with anastomotic ulcers.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective study demonstrates that SBCE is a safe and effective diagnostic tool in patients with Billroth II gastrojejunostomy with a favorable gastroscopic evaluation within 7 days prior. The frequently real-time monitoring is suggested due to the risk of retention in the afferent loop, and a delayed food intake is required when a prolonged stay in the afferent loop occurred.

The diagnostic value of video capsule endoscopy for Meckel's diverticulum in children

BACKGROUND

Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract and is also an important cause of bloody stool and anemia in children. However, there are few data about video capsule endoscopy (VCE) for MD in children. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of VCE for MD in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

children who underwent VCE for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding from October 1st 2015 to August 31st 2019 at the Children's Hospital of Fudan University were included in this retrospective study. Medical data, VCE data and Meckel's scans, etc. were collected for each patient.

RESULTS

sixteen patients were diagnosed with MD by VCE, including 13 males and 3 females. The age of the patients ranged from 4 years to 13 years, with an average of 7.8 ± 2.7 years. Lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding was the main symptom for patients with MD, including hematochezia (75 %) and melena (25 %). Of the VCE findings, 14 patients had double lumen signs and 2 showed protruding lesions. Among the 16 patients diagnosed with MD by VCE, 14 patients were diagnosed with MD by Meckel's scan, 3 with MD by abdominal enhanced CT and 14 patients were diagnosed with MD by surgery. During the follow-up, bleeding occurred sporadically in patient 12 and the reason is still unknown.

CONCLUSIONS

VCE is useful for the diagnosis of MD and should be used as a valuable and less invasive examination to confirm or establish a diagnosis.

Capsule endoscopy as a diagnostic test for Meckel's diverticulum

OBJECTIVE

We described a case series of patients diagnosed with Meckel's diverticulum using capsule endoscopy (CE), reviewed the literature, and aimed to reveal the common CE characteristics of Meckel's diverticulum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed a case series of Meckel's diverticulum in the Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital Affliated to the Capital Medical University. In each case, primary upper endoscopy and colonoscopy failed to reveal a reason to explain the complaints (hematochezia in three cases and abdominal pain in one). CE (Pillcam SB2, Given Imaging, Yoqneam, Israel) was chosen as the next diagnostic test of choice and Meckel's diverticulum was detected by CE. Then, endoscopic characteristics and follow-up of Meckel's diverticulum were analyzed.

RESULTS

4 patients were enrolled. CE revealed Meckel's diverticulum in patients with different features. In case 1, CE revealed a typically double lumen sign and diaphragm sign, with visible blood. In case 2 and case 3, CE revealed a protruding lesion with/without erosion. In case 4, CE revealed multiple caved lesions, double lumen sign and capsule retention in an abnormal blind end for over 2 hours.

CONCLUSION

Except double lumen sign, partial disappearance of normal mucosa and capsule retention, other CE findings could be used for the diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum, such as protruding lesion, caved lesion, solitary polyp and stenosing lesion.

Meckel’s diverticulum diagnosis by video capsule endoscopy: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) occurs predominantly in children and adolescents. It is rarely diagnosed in adults. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult due to low sensitivity of the radiological imaging studies. The role of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) in the diagnosis of MD is unknown, and the endoscopic patterns are not defined. We will describe four of our cases of MD evaluated with VCE and make a review of the literature focusing on the endoscopic characteristics.

CASE SUMMARY

We present four cases of MD confirmed by surgery. They were all adult males with ages going from 18 to 50 years, referred to our service from 2004 to 2018, due to obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). They had a history of 1 mo to 10 years of overt and occult bleeding episodes. Laboratory blood test showed an iron-deficiency anemia from 4 to 9 g/dL of hemoglobin that required multiple hospitalizations and blood transfusions in all cases. Repeated upper digestive endoscopies and colonoscopies were negative. Small bowel was examined with VCE, which revealed double lumen images in all cases, one with polyps and three with circumferential ulcers in the diverticulum. However, based on VCE findings, preoperative diagnosis of MD was suggested only in two patients. Capsule was retained in one patient, which was recovered with surgery. The anatomopathological report revealed ulcerated ectopic gastric mucosa in all cases.

CONCLUSION

VCE is useful for the diagnosis of MD. However, endoscopic characteristics must be recognized in order to establish preoperative diagnosis.

NASPGHAN Capsule Endoscopy Clinical Report

Wireless capsule endoscopy (CE) was introduced in 2000 as a less invasive method to visualize the distal small bowel in adults. Because this technology has advanced it has been adapted for use in pediatric gastroenterology. Several studies have described its clinical use, utility, and various training methods but pediatric literature regarding CE is limited. This clinical report developed by the Endoscopic and Procedures Committee of the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition outlines the current literature, and describes the recommended current role, use, training, and future areas of research for CE in pediatrics.

Incidence, clinical outcomes, and therapeutic approaches of capsule endoscopy-related adverse events in a large study population

INTRODUCTION

Capsule endoscopy (CE) has become a first-line tool for small bowel (SB) examination. However, adverse events (AEs), such as CE retention or aspiration, may occur. The aims of this study were to evaluate incidence, clinical outcomes and therapeutic approaches of CE-related AEs in the largest series published to date.

METHODS

Data from 5428 procedures performed at 12 institutions between August 2001 and January 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline patient characteristics; procedure; type, localization and symptoms before/after AEs; previous patency tests performed; therapeutic management and patient's outcome were recorded.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of CE-related AEs was 1.9%: 2.0% for SB, 0.9% for esophageal and 0.5% for colon CE. The incidence of capsule retention was significantly higher than capsule aspiration (1.87% vs. 0.003%; p < 0.05), in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than in obscure GI bleeding (OGIB) (3.3% vs. 1.5%; p < 0.05) and in patients with the combination of nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain and distension. The SB was the most frequent localization of retention (88.2%). The use of patency tests -except for Patency© capsule- before CE was not a good predictor for AEs. Most of the patients with AEs developed no or mild symptoms (97%) and were managed by non-surgical methods (64.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

CE-related AEs are uncommon and difficult to predict by imagiological examinations. SB retention, that is usually asymptomatic, is the most frequent AE. In absence of symptoms, non-surgical management of CE-related AEs is recommended.

Balloon-assisted enteroscopy for suspected Meckel’s diverticulum and indefinite diagnostic imaging workup

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is estimated to affect 1%-2% of the general population, and it represents a clinically silent finding of a congenital anomaly in up to 85% of the cases. In adults, MD may cause symptoms, such as overt occult lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The diagnostic imaging workup includes computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging enterography, technetium 99m scintigraphy (99mTc) using either labeled red blood cells or pertechnetate (known as the Meckel’s scan) and angiography. The preoperative detection rate of MD in adults is low, and many patients ultimately undergo exploratory laparoscopy. More recently, however, endoscopic identification of MD has been possible with the use of balloon-assisted enteroscopy via direct luminal access, which also provides visualization of the diverticular ostium. The aim of this study was to review the diagnosis by double-balloon enteroscopy of 4 adults with symptomatic MD but who had negative diagnostic imaging workups. These cases indicate that balloon-assisted enteroscopy is a valuable diagnostic method and should be considered in adult patients who have suspected MD and indefinite findings on diagnostic imaging workup, including negative Meckel’s scan.

Small bowel bleeding: a comprehensive review

The small intestine is an uncommon site of gastro-intestinal (GI) bleeding; however it is the commonest cause of obscure GI bleeding. It may require multiple blood transfusions, diagnostic procedures and repeated hospitalizations. Angiodysplasia is the commonest cause of obscure GI bleeding, particularly in the elderly. Inflammatory lesions and tumours are the usual causes of small intestinal bleeding in younger patients. Capsule endoscopy and deep enteroscopy have improved our ability to investigate small bowel bleeds. Deep enteroscopy has also an added advantage of therapeutic potential. Computed tomography is helpful in identifying extra-intestinal lesions. In cases of difficult diagnosis, surgery and intra-operative enteroscopy can help with diagnosis and management. The treatment is dependent upon the aetiology of the bleed. An overt bleed requires aggressive resuscitation and immediate localisation of the lesion for institution of appropriate therapy. Small bowel bleeding can be managed by conservative, radiological, pharmacological, endoscopic and surgical methods, depending upon indications, expertise and availability. Some patients, especially those with multiple vascular lesions, can re-bleed even after appropriate treatment and pose difficult challenge to the treating physician.