Extracolonic findings with the PillCam Colon: is panendoscopy with capsule endoscopy closer?

Population-Based Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Abnormalities at Colon Capsule Endoscopy

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The population prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) disease is unclear and difficult to assess in an asymptomatic population. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of GI lesions in a largely asymptomatic population undergoing colon capsule endoscopy (CCE).

METHODS

Participants aged between 50-75 years were retrieved from the Rotterdam Study, a longitudinal epidemiological study, between 2017-2019. Participants received CCE with bowel preparation. Abnormalities defined as clinically relevant were Barrett segment >3cm, severe ulceration, polyp >10 mm or ≥3 polyps in small bowel (SB) or colon, and cancer.

RESULTS

Of 2800 invited subjects, 462 (16.5%) participants (mean age 66.8 years, female 53.5%) ingested the colon capsule. A total of 451 videos were analyzed, and in 94.7% the capsule reached the descending colon. At least 1 abnormal finding was seen in 448 (99.3%) participants. The prevalence of abnormalities per GI segment, and the most common type of abnormality, were as follows: Esophageal 14.8% (Barrett's esophagus <3 cm in 8.3%), gastric 27.9% (fundic gland polyps in 18.1%), SB abnormalities 33.9% (erosions in 23.8%), colon 93.3% (diverticula in 81.2%). A total of 54 participants (12%) had clinically relevant abnormalities, 3 (0.7%) in esophagus/stomach (reflux esophagitis grade D, Mallory Weiss lesion and severe gastritis), 5 (1.1%) in SB (polyps > 10 mm; n = 4, severe ulcer n = 1,) and 46 (10.2%) in colon (polyp > 10 mm or ≥3 polyps n = 46, colorectal cancer n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

GI lesions are very common in a mostly asymptomatic Western population, and clinically relevant lesions were found in 12% at CCE. These findings provide a frame of reference for the prevalence rates of GI lesions in the general population.

Efficacy of bowel preparation regimens for colon capsule endoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and study aims  Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is an alternative to conventional colonoscopy (CC) in specific clinical settings. High completion rates (CRs) and adequate cleanliness rates (ACRs) are fundamental quality parameters if CCE is to be widely implemented as a CC equivalent diagnostic modality. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy of different bowel preparations regimens on CR and ACR in CCE. Patients and methods  We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Data were independently extracted per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The primary outcome measures (CR, ACR) were retrieved from the individual studies and pooled event rates were calculated. Results  Thirty-four observational (OBS) studies (n = 3,789) and 12 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) (n = 1,214) comprising a total 5,003 patients were included. The overall CR was 0.798 (95 % CI, 0.764-0.828); the highest CRs were observed with sodium phosphate (NaP) + gastrografin booster (n = 2, CR = 0.931, 95 % CI, 0.820-0.976). The overall ACR was 0.768 (95 % CI, 0.735-0.797); the highest ACRs were observed with polyethylene glycol (PEG) + magnesium citrate (n = 4, ER = 0.953, 95 % CI, 0.896-0.979). Conclusions  In the largest meta-analysis on CCE bowel preparation regimens, we found that both CRs and ACRs are suboptimal compared to the minimum recommended standards for CC. PEG laxative and NaP booster were the most commonly used but were not associated with higher CRs or ACRs. Well-designed studies on CCE should be performed to find the optimal preparation regimen.

Feasibility of patency capsule and colon capsule endoscopy in patients with suspected gastrointestinal stenosis: a prospective study

Patency capsule (PC) can evaluate the patency of gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We hypothesized preceding patient selection using PC would improve the successful rate of colon capsule endoscopy (CCE). Therefore, a prospective single-arm study using PC followed by CCE was conducted with a control group of CCE alone. Patients with suspected or known GI stenosis scheduled for CCE were enrolled. CCE was performed only when the PC was excreted out of the body within 33 hours of ingestion. Primary endpoint was the rate of observation of the entire GI tract within the duration of examination. The secondary endpoints were complications and CCE findings. Twenty-three patients (17 men) were enrolled. The mean age was 50.5±19.8 years. Suspected stenotic sites were 8, 5, and 10 in the small, large, and small and large bowel, respectively. Sixteen, 12, and 10 patients had abdominal pain, active inflammatory bowel disease, and history of surgery for suspected stenosis, respectively. Patency of GI tract was confirmed in 96% (22/23) of the patients by administered PC. Of the 22 patients who underwent CCE, the entire GI tract was observed in 86% (19/22). No complications were observed. The median transit times in the small bowel and colon were 99 (21-682) and 160 (5-328) minutes, respectively. CCE findings revealed ulcers, erosions, and diverticula in 5, 9, and 4 patients, respectively. In conclusion, CCE with PC might be a safer and useful modality to observe the large colon for patients with suspected GI stenosis.

Clinical feasibility of panintestinal (or panenteric) capsule endoscopy: a systematic review

In recent years, panintestinal capsule endoscopy (PCE) with double-headed capsules has been used to perform complete, single-sitting exploration of both small bowel and colon in different clinical conditions. Double-headed capsules for colonic examination (CCE) have been exploited first in this setting, followed by newer generations of capsules (i.e. PillCam Crohn, PCC) specifically engineered for this purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of PCE in the form of a systematic review. We performed a comprehensive literature search to identify papers in which CE was specifically used for a PCE of the gastrointestinal tract. Data on CE, bowel preparation regimen, rate of cleanliness and completeness, and data on transit times were analyzed. The primary outcome was to assess the feasibility of a whole-gut exploration with CE. Sixteen (n = 16) studies including 915 CE procedures with CCE1 (n = 134), CCE2 (n = 357) and PCC (n = 424) were included. 13/16 studies were performed in the setting of Crohn's disease. Cleanliness and completeness rates were acceptable in all studies, ranging from 63.9% and 68.6% to 100%, respectively. In conclusion, PCE is a feasible technique, although further structured studies are needed to explore its full potential.

Non-small-bowel lesions identification by capsule endoscopy: A single centre retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Capsule endoscopy has been considered the first-line approach for the investigation of obscure gastro-intestinal bleeding since its approval in 2001. Our study aims to evaluate the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy in the investigation of this condition. We also analyse the incidence of non-small-bowel lesions missed after conventional endoscopy and later detected by capsule endoscopy in patients with suspected obscure bleeding.

METHODS

A total of 290 patients with negative conventional endoscopy referred to our centre to undergo a capsule endoscopy examination for the investigation of obscure gastro-intestinal bleeding. We considered as non-small-bowel lesions those outside the tract between the second duodenal portion and the ileocecal valve. We also looked for actively bleeding lesions at the time of the exam.

RESULTS

Intestinal preparation was good, adequate or poor in 74.1%, 8.4%, and 17.5% of the tests, respectively. Caecum was reached in 92.4%. Capsule retention occurred in 0.7%. Mean small bowel transit time was 5hours and 13minutes. Diagnostic yield was 73.8%. An actively bleeding lesion was noticed in 39.3% of positive tests. Capsule endoscopy revealed clinically significant non-small-bowel lesions missed at gastroscopy or colonoscopy in 30.3% of patients, 43.2% of which were bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Capsule endoscopy has high diagnostic yield and safety in the investigation of obscure gastro-intestinal bleedings. Given the high percentage of non-small-bowel lesions detected, it may be appropriate to consider an endoscopic second look before performing a capsule endoscopy study.

Colon capsule endoscopy

There are multiple indications for luminal imaging of the colon. From assessment of known disease, to diagnosing new pathology; intra-luminal visualisation is the mainstay of gastrointestinal diagnosis. Colonoscopy and radiological imaging are currently the most frequently deployed diagnostic methods. However, both have an associated risk profile, have significant resource pressures and are not universally tolerated. Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) offers an adjunct to these diagnostic options. In this narrative review the utility of CCE is described. Its current uses, potential benefits and future developments are also discussed.

Same-day colon capsule endoscopy is a viable means to assess unexplored colonic segments after incomplete colonoscopy in selected patients

Background

Same-day colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) immediately following incomplete optical colonoscopy (OC) would have a number of advantages for patients, while also presenting unique procedural challenges including the effect of sedation on capsule propulsion and patient tolerance of protracted preparation and fasting.

Aim

The aim of this article is to prospectively assess the efficacy of same-day CCE after incomplete OC in an unselected patient cohort.

Methods

This was an observational, prospective, single-centre study of CCE post-incomplete colonoscopies. Patients with an incomplete OC for any reason other than obstruction or inadequate bowel preparation were recruited. CCE was performed after a minimum of a one-hour fast. Once the patient was fully alert, intravenous metoclopramide was administered after capsule ingestion when possible, and a standard CCE booster protocol was then followed. Relevant clinical information was recorded. CCE completion rates, findings and their impact, and adverse events were noted.

Results

Fifty patients were recruited, mean age = 57 years and 66% (n = 32) were female. Seventy-six per cent (n = 38) of CCEs were complete; however, full colonic views were obtained in 84% (n = 42) of cases. Patients > 50 years of age were five times more likely to have an incomplete CCE and there was also a trend towards known comorbidities associated with hypomobility having reduced excretion rates. Overall diagnostic yield for CCE in the unexplored segments was 74% (n = 37), with 26% (n = 13) of patients requiring significant changes in management based on CCE findings. The overall incremental yield was 38%. CCE findings were normal 26% (n = 13), polyps 38% (n = 19), inflammation 22% (n = 11), diverticular disease 25 (n = 12), angiodysplasia 3% (n = 1) and cancer 3% (n = 1). Significant small bowel findings were found in three (6%) cases, including Crohn's disease and a neuroendocrine tumour. A major adverse event occurred in one patient (2%), related to capsule retention.

Conclusion

Same-day CCE is a viable alternative means to assess unexplored segments of the colon after incomplete OC in selected patients.

Is capsule colonoscopy the solution for incomplete conventional colonoscopy?

The era of colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) started in 2007. Few years later second-generation CCE (CCE-2) (Medtronic, Minneapolis, USA) was launched, featuring an improved optical system allowing for nearly 360° coverage via two 172° angle cameras, and adaptive frame rate function (ranging from 4 to 35 images per second depending on capsule motion). At present the main clinical indications for CCE are: a) completion of incomplete colonoscopy; b) polyp detection; and c) investigation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).