The role of capsule endoscopy in the work-up of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

Endoscopic Removal of a Single, Painless, Juvenile Polyp in the Small Intestine Causing Anemia

Juvenile polyps are the most common gastrointestinal polyps in childhood. Typically, they are located in the colon and present with intermittent and painless hematochezia. A few case reports have described juvenile polyps in the small intestine, all presenting as intussusception requiring surgery. We report an isolated juvenile polyp in the small intestine presenting with painless anemia, identified using video capsule endoscopy, and removed via enteroscopy.

Evaluation of scoring systems without endoscopic findings for predicting outcomes in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Background

Risk scoring systems are used to evaluate patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). We compared Glasgow-Blatchford score (GBS), modified GBS (mGBS), and Pre-endoscopy Rockall score (Pre-E RS) for immediate application without endoscopic findings in predicting the need of interventions and the 30-day mortality in patients with UGIB.

Methods

Patients who visited the emergency room with UGIB from January 2007 to June 2016 were included. GBS, mGBS, and Pre-E RS were obtained for all patients. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUC) was used to assess the accuracy of the scoring systems to determine the need for interventions and 30-day mortality. Also, we investigated the potential cutoff scores for predicting 30-day mortality and the need for interventions.

Results

In predicting the need for interventions, GBS (AUC = 0.727) and mGBS (AUC = 0.733) outperformed Pre-E RS (AUC = 0.564, P < 0.0001). In predicting 30-day mortality, Pre-E RS (AUC = 0.929) outperformed GBS (AUC = 0.664, P < 0.0001) and mGBS (AUC = 0.652, P < 0.0001). Based on AUC analyses of sensitivities and specificities, the optimal cutoff mGBS and GBS for the need for interventions was 9 (70.71% sensitivity, 89.35% specificity) and 9 (73.57% sensitivity, 82.90% specificity) respectively, and optimal cutoff Pre-E RS for 30-day mortality was 4 (88.0% sensitivity, 97.52% specificity).

Conclusions

GBS and mGBS are considered to be moderately accurate in making an early decision about the need of interventions in patients with UGIB. Pre-E RS is considered to be highly accurate in early detection of patients at high risk for 30-day mortality without endoscopic findings. In addition, we suggested potential cutoff scores to predict the need of interventions for GBS and mGBS, and 30-day mortality for Pre-E RS. Further studies are needed to confirm the clinical applicability of results.

[Radiological diagnostics of the small bowel]

The barium meal with plain X-ray films of the small intestine has for decades been the undisputed gold standard in imaging of the small intestine. More recently, X-rays and fluoroscopy with an overall accuracy of 73% have been replaced by multislice computed tomography (MSCT) or modern magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ultrasound is suitable for the orienting investigation of the small intestine in the context of general abdominal sonography as well as for dedicated examinations with a sensitivity of 67-96% and a specificity up to 97%. The endoscopic examinations of the small bowel, such as video capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy are expensive and time-consuming techniques, which provide valuable information in special indications. Other than with the stomach or colon, the diagnostics of primary small intestine tumors plays a relatively subordinate role due to the low incidence of 3-5% of all gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasms but with a high sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of up to 97% for computed tomography (CT) and MRI. Predominant questions are those concerning ileus or the diagnostics of passage disturbances after preceding operations, to depict bowel obstructions, adhesions or the involvement of the small bowel in peritoneal carcinomatosis. The sensitivity per lesion in the initial evaluation of Crohn's disease (CD) is 47-68% for capsule endoscopy, 43% for MRI and 21% for CT enterography. In cases of known CD, the sensitivity is 70% for capsule endoscopy and 79% for MRI. A further indication is the evaluation of acute or occult gastrointestinal bleeding.

Diagnostic yield of dual-phase computed tomography enterography in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and a non-diagnostic capsule endoscopy

BACKGROUND AND AIM

In patients with obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, capsule endoscopy is widely used to determine the source of bleeding. However, there is currently no consensus on how to further evaluate patients with obscure GI bleeding with a non-diagnostic capsule endoscopy examination. This study aims to determine the diagnostic yield of dual-phase computed tomographic enterography (CTE) in patients with obscure GI bleeding and a non-diagnostic capsule endoscopy.

METHODS

Patients with obscure GI bleeding who were referred for capsule endoscopy were prospectively enrolled. Obscure GI bleeding was defined as overt if there was obvious GI bleeding; otherwise it was defined as occult. Patients with a non-diagnostic capsule endoscopy and no contraindications underwent a CTE.

RESULTS

Capsule endoscopy was performed in 52 patients; 26 patients (50%) had occult GI bleeding and 26 patients (50%) had overt GI bleeding. CTE was then performed in 25 of the 48 patients without a definitive source of bleeding seen on capsule endoscopy. The diagnostic yield of CTE was 0% (0/11) in patients with occult bleeding versus 50% (7/14) in patients with overt bleeding (P < 0.01). Using clinical follow up as the gold standard, for the 25 patients with a non-diagnostic capsule, CTE had a sensitivity of 33% (95% confidence interval 0.15, 0.56) and a specificity of 75% (95% confidence interval 0.22, 0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with a non-diagnostic capsule endoscopy examination, CTE is useful for detecting a source of GI bleeding in patients with overt, but not occult, obscure GI bleeding.

Prospective blinded comparison of wireless capsule endoscopy and multiphase CT enterography in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

PURPOSE

To compare the performance of multiphase computed tomographic (CT) enterography with that of capsule endoscopy in a group of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the institutional review board and the institutional conflict of interest committee. All patients provided written informed consent. Two radiologists, blinded to clinical data and results of capsule endoscopy, interpreted images from CT enterography independently, with discordant interpretations resolved by consensus. Results were compared with those from a reference standard (surgery or endoscopy) and clinical follow-up. Sensitivity and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each modality.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight adult patients, referred for the evaluation of OGIB (occult, 25 patients [43%]; overt, 33 patients [57%]), underwent both tests. A small bowel bleeding source was identified in 16 of the 58 patients (28%). The sensitivity of CT enterography was significantly greater than that of capsule endoscopy (88% [14 of 16 patients] vs 38% [six of 16 patients], respectively; P = .008), largely because it depicted more small bowel masses (100% [nine of nine patients] vs 33% [three of nine patients], respectively; P = .03). No additional small bowel tumors were discovered during the follow-up period (range, 5.6-45.9 months; mean, 16.6 months).

CONCLUSION

In this referral population, the sensitivity of CT enterography for detecting small bowel bleeding sources and small bowel masses was significantly greater than that of capsule endoscopy. On the basis of these findings, the addition of multiphase CT enterography to the routine diagnostic work-up of patients with OGIB should be considered, particularly in patients with negative findings at capsule endoscopy.

Long-term outcomes of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding after CT enterography: does negative CT enterography predict lower long-term rebleeding rate?

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Computed tomography enterography (CTE) is a promising modality for small bowel imaging. However, the role of CTE in the evaluation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) has not been established. We investigated the efficacy of CTE in diagnosing OGIB and the long-term outcomes based on CTE findings, with special reference to negative CTE.

METHODS

A total of 63 consecutive patients who had undergone CTE for OGIB were enrolled, and their pre- and post-CTE clinical data were collected. "Specific treatments" were defined as treatments directly aimed at resolving presumed bleeding causes, including hemostasis and operation, while "non-specific treatments" were defined as symptomatic treatments for anemia.

RESULTS

Among 60 patients for whom long-term follow-up data were available, positive lesions were found in 16 patients (26.7%). The overall rebleeding rate was 21.7% during a mean follow up of 17.6 ± 4.7 months. There was no significant difference in the cumulative rebleeding rates between patients with positive and negative CTE results (P = 0.241). All patients who received specific treatments after CTE did not rebleed (0/8). In positive CTE patients, specific treatments significantly reduced the rebleeding rate (P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

CTE has a high rate of detecting overt OGIB. However, negative CTE results do not predict lower long-term rebleeding, and such patients with OGIB should be closely observed. In patients with positive CTE, more vigorous management significantly reduces the incidence of rebleeding.

In vivo trial of a driving system for a self-propelling capsule endoscope using a magnetic field (with video)

BACKGROUND

A capsule endoscope does not allow the examiner to observe a lesion from the desired direction in real time.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a driving system for a self-propelling capsule endoscope (SPCE) by using a magnetic field.

SETTING

Experimental endoscopic study in a live dog model.

DESIGN AND INTERVENTIONS

A microactuator was developed with the aim of remote-control operation. We developed a driving system for SPCE by attaching a capsule endoscope to this medical microactuator and performed the following experiments. (1) We operated this SPCE by remote control in the stomach of a dog under sedation and obtained endoscopic images using a real-time monitoring system only. (2) We placed a hemostatic clip on the gastric mucosa and recorded images of this clip with the SPCE. (3) We also placed clips at 2 other sites in the stomach and asked the SPCE operator, who was unaware of the location of the clips, to identify the site, number, and color of the clips.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Evaluation of performance of a driving system for SPCE.

RESULTS

The operator was able to obtain endoscopic images with the SPCE in the stomach of a dog in vivo, in any desired direction, by remote control. SPCE produced clear images of the clips placed in the stomach. The operator was able to easily identify the site, number, and color of the clips.

LIMITATIONS

Animal model.

CONCLUSIONS

Our trial suggests the possibility of clinical application of the driving system for an SPCE using a magnetic field.

The diagnostic value of video capsule endoscopy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) offers the best means of studying small bowel, but is expensive. We investigated how physicians appraise the value of VCE.

METHODS

A questionnaire was sent to remitting physicians comprising questions on the value of VCE in altogether 189 adults. The follow-up time was at least one year. The patient history was also scrutinized in case records.

RESULTS

The most common indications for VCE were anaemia (n=100) or gastrointestinal bleeding (n=21) (60%), suspicion of Crohn's disease (21%), abdominal pain (9%) and coeliac disease (6%). The diagnostic value of VCE was rated best in patients suffering from anaemia or bleeding, being decisive or beneficial in 33% (OR 2.3, CI=1.1-4.8 compared to all series) and helpful in exclusion in an additional 36%. In Crohn's disease, VCE was helpful in the exclusion of intestinal lesions in 50% of cases; in coeliac disease the corresponding percentage was 42%. When abdominal pain was the only indication for VCE, the examination was beneficial in one patient only.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic value of VCE was evident in patients with anaemia or gastrointestinal bleeding. The procedure was deemed to be helpful in exclusion also in Crohn's disease and in coeliac disease. Abdominal pain was a rare indication, and the diagnostic yield limited.

CT enterography

Conventional radiologic and endoscopic evaluations of the small bowel are often limited by the length, caliber, and motility of the small bowel loops. The development of new multidetector-row CT scanners, with faster scan times and isotropic spatial resolution, allows high-resolution multiphasic and multiplanar assessment of the bowel, bowel wall, and lumen. CT Enterography (CTE) is a variant of routine abdominal scanning, geared toward more sustained bowel filling with oral contrast material, and the use of multiplanar images, that can enhance gastrointestinal (GI) tract imaging. This article examines the techniques and clinical applications of CTE in comparison with CT enteroclysis, focusing on Crohn disease, obscure GI bleeding, GI tumors, acute abdominal pain, and bowel obstruction.

CT enterography: concept, technique, and interpretation

CT enterography is a new imaging modality that has distinct advantages over conventional CT, wireless capsule endoscopy, and barium examination. CT enterography is noninvasive and allows rapid mapping of disease activity before endoscopy and in cases where the endoscope cannot reach the diseased segment. CT enterography is readily available, is operator independent, and allows evaluation of extraenteric complications of small bowel disease. This article describes the latest techniques and applications of CT enterography.

Video capsule endoscopy in life-threatening GI hemorrhage after negative primary endoscopy (with video)

BACKGROUND

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) continues to evolve as a key diagnostic tool. Traditionally VCE has been used to detect occult and obscure GI bleeding in adult patients. VCE has not been documented or accepted as an early diagnostic tool for acute life-threatening GI hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to demonstrate the use of VCE as an early diagnostic tool in acute life-threatening GI hemorrhage.

DESIGN

Case series.

PATIENTS

Patients with life-threatening GI hemorrhage.

INTERVENTIONS

VCE after negative primary endoscopy.

RESULTS

VCE allowed rapid diagnosis and reliable data before surgical intervention. Although proving to be a beneficial diagnostic tool for acute GI hemorrhage, VCE was not associated with increased morbidity or mortality rates.

LIMITATIONS

This report only focuses on cases where VCE successfully led to a diagnosis. There is no prospective control group to which these patients can be compared. There were no other attempted acute VCE studies in patients with life-threatening bleeding during the time period of these case reports.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of VCE is a simple and relatively safe diagnostic tool in the evaluation of continuing GI hemorrhaging in endoscopy-negative patients. The use of VCE can be considered as a another useful tool in the armamentarium of the endoscopist in the evaluation of GI bleeding. Prospective studies should be undertaken to determine the appropriate timing and clinical use in this group of patients.

How good is capsule endoscopy for detection of periampullary lesions? Results of a tertiary-referral center

BACKGROUND

Ampullary adenomas are increasingly being recognized, particularly in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. A capsule endoscopy (CE) is routinely recommended for surveillance of small-intestinal polyposis. Performance characteristics of CE for the detection of periampullary lesions are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the ability of CE to detect the major duodenal papilla.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

A total of 146 consecutive CE studies were reviewed by 2 CE gastroenterologists at 5 frames per second. Primary outcome was visualization of the major duodenal papilla. Discrepancies were reviewed by 5 CE gastroenterologists.

SETTING

A tertiary-referral center.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

The ability of CE to detect the duodenal papilla.

RESULTS

Among 146 consecutive CE studies, 21 were excluded: capsule retention (3), patient age <18 years (6), duplicate study (8), and prior surgery disrupting duodenal anatomy (4). Of the remaining 125 studies, indications were the following: obscure GI bleeding (45.6%), iron deficiency anemia (19.2%), abdominal pain (17.6%), diarrhea (10.4%), and Crohn's disease (4.8%). In total, 13 major duodenal papillae were visualized. The median time of detection was 31 seconds after the first duodenal image. This translates to a CE sensitivity of 10.4% for detection of the major papilla.

LIMITATION

Papilla position was not verified by an EGD.

CONCLUSIONS

CE has limited sensitivity to visualize the major papilla and lesions in the periampullary small intestine. Nondiagnostic CE studies must not be relied upon as proof that small-bowel lesions do not exist. Consideration should be given for an enteroscopy or side-viewing duodenoscopy in cases where significant clinical concern exists for unrecognized periampullary lesions. The current recommendations about surveillance for small-bowel polyposis should be revised.

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: evaluation with 64-section multiphase CT enterography--initial experience

This retrospective HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the institutional review board and institutional conflict of interest committee. Patients gave informed consent for use of medical records. The purpose of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the findings depicted at computed tomographic (CT) enterography performed with a 64-section CT system and by using neutral enteric contrast material and a three-phase acquisition in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Twenty-two outpatients (11 men, 11 women; age range, 37-83 years) with OGIB underwent CT enterography. Findings were compared with capsule and traditional endoscopic, surgical, and angiographic findings. CT enterographic findings were positive for a bleeding source in 10 (45%) of 22 patients. Eight of 10 positive findings at CT enterography were also positive at capsule endoscopy or subsequent clinical diagnosis. CT enterography helped correctly identify three lesions undetected at capsule endoscopy. Study results suggest that multiphase, multiplanar CT enterography may have a role in the evaluation of OGIB.

CT enterography: noninvasive evaluation of Crohn's disease and obscure gastrointestinal bleed

CT enterography (CTE) is a noninvasive imaging test using neutral intraluminal contrast and intravenous contrast to evaluate the small bowel. Multiphasic imaging is used in evaluating obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB), and single-phase enteric imaging is used for all other indications, including Crohn's disease (CD). CTE findings of CD include bowel wall thickening, mucosal hyperenhancement, and mural stratification. CTE findings of angiodyplasias include a vascular tuft visible during arterial phase and an early draining mesenteric vein. Early studies indicate that CTE is superior to barium examination in the evaluation of CD and is complementary to capsule endoscopy in the evaluation of OGIB.

Small bowel capsule endoscopy: a systematic review

Wireless capsule endoscopy offers a revolutionary diagnostic tool for small bowel diseases. Since its formal introduction, it has become an integral part of the diagnostic evaluation for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. This relatively noninvasive imaging modality offered by small bowel capsule endoscopy is appealing to both patients and providers and consequently, the desire to expand its diagnostic role continues to grow. The use of CE in the diagnosis of Crohn disease and chronic diarrhea is being further investigated, as is the potential of employing this technique as a cancer surveillance mechanism in patients with hereditary polyposis syndromes which may involve the small bowel. This review article discusses the current indications for small bowel capsule endoscopy, the results of capsule endoscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and small bowel diseases, and patient outcomes following capsule endoscopy. Capsule endoscopy is compared with traditional diagnostic modalities, including small bowel series, enteroclysis, CT, and push enteroscopy. Small bowel capsule endoscopy is the procedure of choice to evaluate obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, and is superior to radiographic procedures in detecting Crohn disease of the small bowel.

Small Bowel Angiodysplasia Associated with von Willebrand's Disease: Report of a Case

The association between angiodysplasia (AD) and von Willebrand's disease (vWD) was first described by Quick in 1967. The clinical course of patients with vWD and AD is characterized by multiple admissions to hospital for gastrointestinal bleeding, necessitating transfusions of packed red cells, factor VIII, and von Willebrand factor concentrates. The therapeutic management of these patients is difficult. Both medical and endoscopic techniques have been tried, but no treatment modality has been completely successful. We describe the clinical course of a patient affected by vWD, who suffered repeated massive gastrointestinal bleeding caused by small bowel AD. Intestinal resection was the only effective treatment, resulting in complete remission of the gastrointestinal bleeding.

Solitary hemangioma of the small intestine: an unusual cause of bleeding diagnosed at capsule endoscopy

Solitary small intestine hemangiomas are rare and usually present with overt bleeding or chronic anemia. Diagnosis is usually difficult because traditional imaging techniques often lack accuracy. Capsule endoscopy is a new diagnostic tool that has showed greater sensitivity than other methods to reveal causes of bleeding in the small intestine. A case of hemangioma of the ileum in a 13-year-old boy is presented. Capsule endoscopy allowed diagnosis and planning of surgical treatment.

The European experience with double-balloon enteroscopy: indications, methodology, safety, and clinical impact

BACKGROUND

Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a new technique that allows high-resolution visualization, biopsies, and therapeutic interventions in all segments of the GI tract. The objective of the study was to evaluate the indications, the safety, and the clinical impact of DBE.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis conducted at 4 European medical centers. A total of 62 patients with suspected or documented small-bowel diseases were investigated by DBE. A total of 89 procedures were performed (26 and 9 patients from the oral or the anal route, respectively; 27 patients from both). The main outcome measurements were complications, depth and time of insertion, diagnostics, and therapeutics rates.

RESULTS

No complications occurred. Mean time was 70 +/- 30 minutes and 90 +/- 35 minutes from the oral and the anal route, respectively. Length of insertion was 254 +/- 174 cm beyond the pylorus, 180 +/- 150 cm beyond the ileocecal valve, whereas the entire small bowel was completely explored in 10 patients. DBE was diagnostic in 80% of the patients: in 29 of 33 of patients with GI bleeding, in one of 5 patients with iron deficiency anemia and positive fecal occult blood testing, in 3 of 5 patients with chronic diarrhea, in two of 3 patients with abdominal pain, in two of 3 patients with GI cancer (follow-up), in all patients with suspected or refractory celiac disease, and in two of 3 patients with Crohn's disease. Treatment was performed in 41.9% of patients (22 polyps and 29 angioectesias).

CONCLUSIONS

DBE is a safe and feasible diagnostic and therapeutic tool for suspected or documented small-bowel diseases. At present, the best candidates for the procedure appear to be those with obscure GI bleeding.