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

Patency testing improves capsule retention rates but at what cost? A retrospective look at patency testing

Capsule retention is one of the major complications of capsule endoscopy, which range from 2.1 to 8.2% depending on the indication. Over the last few years, reported rates of retention have fallen due to better patient selection due to the recognition of risk factors for capsule retention as well as the introduction of the patency capsule. The patency capsule is a dissolvable capsule with the same dimensions as the functional capsule. It breaks down in the GI tract after approximately 30 h, reducing the risk of symptomatic retention. Failure to pass this patency capsule out of the small bowel results in the patient being excluded from capsule endoscopy. We performed a retrospective analysis of the patency capsules performed in our unit over a 12-month period. A total of 166 (14.7%) of 1,127 patients referred for capsule endoscopy were deemed to require patency assessment (45.8% men, mean age 48 years). Of those who passed the patency assessment and underwent capsule endoscopy, no capsule retention was seen. Indication for patency assessment was found to be appropriate in 87.0% (n = 147). Overall, the failure rate at the patency assessment was 43.1%. The patency capsule remains an imperfect but useful tool in examining functional patency of the GI tract prior to capsule endoscopy.

Retention of small bowel capsule endoscopy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Capsule endoscopy is widely recognized as a safe and effective procedure to evaluate the small bowel and/or the colon noninvasively. Although infrequent, capsule retention is the most feared adverse event related to this technique. A better knowledge of risk factors, improvement of patients' selection and precapsule patency assessment may further contribute to reducing the incidence of capsule retention, even in patients at increased risk for this complication.

RECENT FINDINGS

This review addresses the main risk factors for capsule retention, strategies for risk reduction such as patients' selection, dedicated cross-sectional imaging and rational use of the patency capsule, as well as management options and outcomes in the case of capsule retention.

SUMMARY

Capsule retention is infrequent, and it is usually manageable conservatively with favorable clinical outcomes. Patency capsules and dedicated small-bowel cross-sectional techniques such as CT or MR enterography should be used selectively and are both effective in decreasing the rate of capsule retention. However, none of them can completely eliminate the risk of retention.

Small-bowel capsule endoscopy and device-assisted enteroscopy for diagnosis and treatment of small-bowel disorders: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline - Update 2022

MR1: ESGE recommends small-bowel capsule endoscopy as the first-line examination, before consideration of other endoscopic and radiological diagnostic tests for suspected small-bowel bleeding, given the excellent safety profile of capsule endoscopy, its patient tolerability, and its potential to visualize the entire small-bowel mucosa.Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. MR2: ESGE recommends small-bowel capsule endoscopy in patients with overt suspected small-bowel bleeding as soon as possible after the bleeding episode, ideally within 48 hours, to maximize the diagnostic and subsequent therapeutic yield.Strong recommendation, high quality evidence. MR3: ESGE does not recommend routine second-look endoscopy prior to small-bowel capsule endoscopy in patients with suspected small-bowel bleeding or iron-deficiency anemia.Strong recommendation, low quality evidence. MR4: ESGE recommends conservative management in those patients with suspected small-bowel bleeding and high quality negative small-bowel capsule endoscopy.Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. MR5: ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy to confirm and possibly treat lesions identified by small-bowel capsule endoscopy.Strong recommendation, high quality evidence. MR6: ESGE recommends the performance of small-bowel capsule endoscopy as a first-line examination in patients with iron-deficiency anemia when small bowel evaluation is indicated.Strong recommendation, high quality evidence. MR7: ESGE recommends small-bowel capsule endoscopy in patients with suspected Crohn's disease and negative ileocolonoscopy findings as the initial diagnostic modality for investigating the small bowel, in the absence of obstructive symptoms or known bowel stenosis.Strong recommendation, high quality evidence. MR8: ESGE recommends, in patients with unremarkable or nondiagnostic findings from dedicated small-bowel cross-sectional imaging, small-bowel capsule endoscopy as a subsequent investigation if deemed likely to influence patient management.Strong recommendation, low quality evidence. MR9: ESGE recommends, in patients with established Crohn's disease, the use of a patency capsule before small-bowel capsule endoscopy to decrease the capsule retention rate.Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. MR10: ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) as an alternative to surgery for foreign bodies retained in the small bowel requiring retrieval in patients without acute intestinal obstruction.Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. MR11: ESGE recommends DAE-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (DAE-ERCP) as a first-line endoscopic approach to treat pancreaticobiliary diseases in patients with surgically altered anatomy (except for Billroth II patients).Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.

Colon Capsule Endoscopy in the Diagnosis of Colon Polyps: Who Needs a Colonoscopy?

Colon screening programs have reduced colon cancer mortality. Population screening should be minimally invasive, safe, acceptably sensitive, cost-effective, and scalable. The range of screening modalities include guaiac or immunochemical fecal occult blood testing and CT colonography and colonoscopy. A number of carefully controlled studies concur that second-generation capsule endoscopy has excellent sensitivity for polyp detection and a high negative predictive value. Colon capsules fulfill the screening expectation of safety, high sensitivity for polyp detection, and patient acceptance, and appear to straddle the divide between occult blood testing and colonoscopy. While meeting these criteria, there remains the challenges of scaling, capsule practitioner training, resource allocation, and implementing change of practice. Like CT colonography, capsule screening presents the clinician with a decision on the threshold for colonoscopy referral. Overall, colon capsules are an invaluable tool in polyp detection and colon screening and offer a filter that determines “who needs a colonoscopy?”.

Small Bowel Malignancies in Patients Undergoing Capsule Endoscopy for Iron Deficiency Anemia

Small bowel malignancies are rare and usually asymptomatic or symptoms are nonspecific. Therefore, small bowel tumors are difficult to diagnose. In patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) who have negative bidirectional endoscopy results, the small bowel may be considered the source of bleeding. However, in asymptomatic IDA patients with negative bidirectional endoscopy results, evidence supporting the routine use of capsule endoscopy (CE) is insufficient. CE can be considered in selected patients with recurrent or persistent IDA. The frequency of small bowel malignancies is low in patients undergoing CE for IDA, but the usefulness of CE for the diagnosis of small bowel malignancies in younger age groups with IDA has been reported. For patients with risk factors for small bowel malignancy, investigation of the small bowel should be considered. Efforts should be made to prevent adverse events, such as capsule retention or capsule aspiration, through meticulous history taking and endoscopic capsule delivery as necessary.

Small-Bowel Capsule Endoscopy-Optimizing Capsule Endoscopy in Clinical Practice

The small bowel is the longest organ within the gastrointestinal tract. The emergence of small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) over the last 20 years has revolutionized the investigation and diagnosis of small bowel pathology. Its utility as a non-invasive and well-tolerated procedure, which can be performed in an outpatient setting, has made it a valuable diagnostic tool. The indications for SBCE include obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, small bowel Crohn's disease, and, less frequently for screening in polyposis syndromes, celiac disease, or other small bowel pathology. Currently, there are several small bowel capsules on the market from different manufacturers; however, they share many technological features. The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) only recently developed a set of key quality indicators to guide quality standards in this area. Many of the technical aspects of capsule endoscopy still feature a degree of uncertainty in terms of optimal performance. Incomplete studies due to slow transit through the bowel, poor imaging secondary to poor preparation, and the risk of capsule retention remain frustrations in its clinical utility. Capsule review is a time-consuming process; however, artificial intelligence and machine learning offer opportunities to improve this. This narrative review examines our current standing in a number of these aspects and the potential to further the application of SBCE in order to maximize its diagnostic utility.

Perforation of the small bowel secondary to capsule endoscopy retention

A 71-year-old female with liver cirrhosis underwent a capsule endoscopy (CE) due to middle gastrointestinal bleeding. A neoplastic stenotic lesion showing stigmata of a recent hemorrhage was observed in jejunum and the capsule was retained.

Capsule endoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease: when and how

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is emerging as an important investigation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); common types include the standard small bowel CE and colon CE. More recently, the pan-enteric CE was developed to assess the large and small bowel in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Emerging indications include noninvasive assessment for mucosal healing (both in the small bowel and the colon) and detection of postoperative recurrence in patients with CD. Given the increasing adoption, several CE scoring systems have been specifically developed for IBD. The greatest concern with performing CE, particularly in CD, is capsule retention, but this can be overcome by performing cross-sectional imaging such as magnetic resonance enterography and using patency capsules before performing the procedure. The development of software for automated detection of mucosal abnormalities typically seen in IBD may further increase its adoption.

Patency Capsule Aspiration

A 77-year-old man with anemia who had undergone 2 abdominal surgeries for colon and gastric cancer experienced dyspnea after swallowing a patency capsule before endoscopy for investigating the cause of anemia. Chest radiography and computed tomography revealed that the patency capsule was located within the bronchus intermedius. It was successfully removed by flexible bronchoscopy. The balloon was placed over the capsule and inflated. Subsequently, the catheter was pulled, while thus dragging the capsule with it and preventing its destruction. In cases of patency capsule aspiration, the capsule must be removed without deformity, before it causes inflammation by releasing barium into the airway.

Indications for small bowel capsule endoscopy and its safety and diagnostic yield in Mexican patients. Experience at a tertiary care hospital center

INTRODUCTION

Appearing in the year 2000, capsule endoscopy revolutionized the study of the small bowel. It is the gold standard for the study of small bowel bleeding and is considered a safe procedure.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to identify the indications for, diagnostic yield, and safety of capsule endoscopy in Mexican patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A descriptive study was conducted on the first 500 small bowel capsule endoscopies performed at a tertiary care hospital center in Mexico City. Sex, age, type of video camera employed, bowel transit time, referral diagnosis, and capsule endoscopy findings and complications were registered.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 55years (±17.63) and 57.9% of the cases were women. Complete visualization of the small bowel was achieved in 420 capsule endoscopies (84%). Mean bowel transit time was 272.25minutes (±114.86). The most common indications for the procedure were small bowel bleeding (65.2%), search for neoplasia (14.4%), and Crohn's disease (10.2%). The presence of ulcers was the most common finding in small bowel bleeding (24.8%), followed by angioectasias (18.9%). Capsule retention was the only complication and it presented in 11 patients (2.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Capsule endoscopy is a safe and efficacious method for studying the small bowel. The results obtained in Mexican patients were similar to those described in the international literature. The present case series is the largest reported in a Mexican population.

Capsule Retention in Crohn's Disease: A Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The main factor that limits wider utilization of capsule endoscopy (CE) in Crohn's disease (CD) is the potential risk of retention. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate capsule retention rates in adult and pediatric CD and determine if retention risk is reduced in established CD (ECD) with patency capsule (PC) or magnetic resonance/computed tomography (MR/CT) enterography.

METHODS

Studies of CD patients undergoing CE that reported retention were identified. Pooled estimates for retention rates and relative risk in ECD to suspected CD (SCD) were calculated. All hypothesis tests were 2-sided; statistical significance was set at a P value of <0.05.

RESULTS

In the overall CD cohort, retention rates were 3.32% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.62%-4.2%): 4.63% (95% CI, 3.42%-6.25%) and 2.35% (95% CI, 1.31%-4.19%) in ECD and SCD, respectively. Retention rates were 3.49% (95% CI, 2.73%-4.46%) and 1.64% (95% CI, 0.68%-3.89%) in adult and pediatric CD, respectively. Retention risk in adult ECD was 3.4 times higher than SCD, but there was no difference in retention risk in pediatric ECD compared with SCD. Retention rates in ECD were decreased after patency capsule (2.88%; 95% CI, 1.74%-4.74%) and MR/CT enterography (2.32%; 95% CI, 0.87%-6.03%).

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison with older literature, this meta-analysis demonstrates lower CE retention rates in SCD and ECD. Retention rates in pediatric CD were lower than in adult CD. Retention rates in adult ECD were higher than SCD, but there were no differences between pediatric ECD and SCD. Retention rates in ECD were lower after negative PC or MR/CT enterography.

Use of patency capsule in daily practice

We read with great interest the paper by Albuquerque et al. entitled "Predictive factors of small bowel patency in Crohn's disease patients". Despite being a safe procedure, capsule endoscopy (CE) retention is a complication that should be kept in mind, especially in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. However, the risk of CE retention can be minimized using the patency capsule (PC). Although some clinical trials confirm its effectiveness, its use in daily practice has been poorly investigated. Albuquerque et al. report a PC negative predictive value (NPV) of 100% in this setting.

Capsule endoscopy for the study of small bowel disorders: Experience at a private institution in Mexico

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Capsule endoscopy has revolutionized the study of small bowel disorders. Its diagnostic yield, reasons for referral, and frequency of significant endoscopic findings at our institution are unknown. The aims of our study were to describe the reasons for referral, the frequency of significant endoscopic findings, and the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy in patients that underwent the procedure for the study of small bowel disorders.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted that included all patients that underwent capsule endoscopy for small bowel disorder evaluation at our institution. The diagnostic yield for significant endoscopic findings, the frequency of significant endoscopic findings, and the reasons for referral for capsule endoscopy were determined.

RESULTS

A total of 134 patients were included in the study and 143 capsule endoscopies were performed. Women made up 48.5% of the sample and the mean patient age was 63 years (18.7 standard deviation). The main reasons for referral were suspicion of overt small bowel bleeding (55.9%) and suspicion of occult small bowel bleeding (28.6%). The overall diagnostic yield was 66.4%. The most common significant findings were small bowel angioectasias (52.6%) and small bowel ulcers (38.9%). There were two adverse events (1.3%): one capsule retention that required enteroscopic removal and one asymptomatic bronchoaspiration of the capsule that resolved spontaneously.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of significant endoscopic findings with capsule endoscopy at our institution was different from that reported in other Mexican studies, but the reasons for referral and the diagnostic yield were similar.

Natural elimination of a video capsule after retention for 1 year in a patient with small bowel Crohn disease: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is a useful tool to differentiate small intestinal bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, and other small bowel disease. The most common adverse effect of VCE is capsule retention; the incidence varies greatly depending on the underlying disease, which is known to increase from 1.5% in healthy individuals to 21% in patients with small bowel Crohn disease. We report this case on a patient who had asymptomatic capsule retention for 12 months and experienced natural elimination with medication.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 21-year-old woman presented to the hospital with chronic abdominal pain and persistent diarrhea for 2 years.

DIAGNOSES

The patient was diagnosed with small bowel Crohn disease using VCE, and radiography revealed capsule retention.

INTERVENTION

Symptoms of obstruction were not distinctive, it was decided to increase the dosages of azathioprine and infliximab to 50 and 500 mg (10 mg/kg), at 5 months after VCE. And at month 11 of capsule retention, she was admitted and started on a regimen of hydrocortisol 300 mg for 4 days and hydrocortisol injection 200 mg for 10 days.

OUTCOMES

At month 12, abdominal radiography in the clinic confirmed that the capsule had been naturally retrieved.

LESSONS

Capsule retention could be initially treated conservatively with medication and if the treatment fails, it is recommended to remove the capsule surgically. But in the case of the clinical condition of the patient is favorable without symptoms of bowel obstruction, the medication should be continued and the patient followed up.

Evaluating the clinical and economic consequences of using video capsule endoscopy to monitor Crohn's disease

Background

To assess the cost and patient impact of using small bowel and colon video capsule endoscopy (SBC) for scheduled monitoring of Crohn’s disease (CD).

Methods

An individual-patient, decision-analytic model of the CD care pathway was developed given current practice and expert input. A literature review informed clinical endpoints with data from peer-reviewed literature. Four thousand simulated CD patients were extrapolated from summary patient data from the Project Sonar Database. Two monitoring scenarios were assessed in this population. The first scenario represented common monitoring practice (CMP) for CD (ileocolonoscopy plus imaging), while in the second scenario patients were converted to disease monitoring using SBC. The cost-effectiveness of using SBC was assessed over 20 years. The cost of switching 50% of patients to SBC was assessed over 5 years for a health-plan including 12,000 patients with CD. Uncertainty of results was assessed using probabilistic sensitivity analysis.

Results

All patient groups showed increased quality of life with SBC versus CMP, with the highest gain in active symptomatic patients. Over 20 years, SBC reduced costs ($313,367 versus $320,015), increased life expectancy (18.15 versus 17.9 years) and increased quality of life (8.7 versus 8.0 QALY), making it a cost-effective option. SBC was cost-effective in 71% of individuals and 78% of populations including 50 patients. A payer implementing SBC in 50% of patients over 5 years could expect a decreased cost of monitoring (–$469 mean per patient) and surgery (–$698), but increased costs for active treatments (+$717). The discounted mean annual cost of care using CMP was $22,681 per patient over 5 years. The annual savings were $1135 per SBC-patient. The total savings for the payer over 5 years were $36.5 million.

Conclusion

SBC is likely to be a cost-effective and cost-saving strategy for monitoring CD in the US.

Performance measures for small-bowel endoscopy: A European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Quality Improvement Initiative

The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) together with the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) recently developed a short list of performance measures for small-bowel endoscopy (i.e. small-bowel capsule endoscopy and device-assisted enteroscopy) with the final goal of providing endoscopy services across Europe with a tool for quality improvement. Six key performance measures both for small-bowel capsule endoscopy and for device-assisted enteroscopy were selected for inclusion, with the intention being that practice at both a service and endoscopist level should be evaluated against them. Other performance measures were considered to be less relevant, based on an assessment of their overall importance, scientific acceptability, and feasibility. Unlike lower and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, for which performance measures had already been identified, this is the first time small-bowel endoscopy quality measures have been proposed.

Clinical Use of Patency Capsule: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

The patency capsule is a radiopaque, dissolvable diagnostic tool, similar in shape and size to small bowel capsule endoscopes. It was developed to offer a simple, safe, efficient, and accurate evaluation of small bowel functional patency. Although unable to provide direct visual information regarding the presence and location of strictures, masses, or luminal narrowing of the small bowel, a successful patency test minimizes the risk of retention and allows the safe administration of a capsule endoscope. However, its use entails a low risk of potentially harmful adverse events, which in their majority are indolent and resolve spontaneously. Abdominal pain and symptomatic retention are accountable for the majority of reported adverse events, whereas a limited number of reports describe life-threatening complications, namely intestinal obstruction, perforation, and intestinal ischemia. Computed tomography is the modality of choice for the identification of the exact position of an impacted patency capsule, whilst the use of plain abdominal radiographs should be avoided for the evaluation of the patency capsule position, as they provide false information. Hereby, we present a comprehensive review of the available literature regarding the characteristics, indications, clinical use, effectiveness, and adverse events of the patency capsule.10.1093/ibd/izy152_video1izy152.video15777752348001.

Small intestine polypoid arteriovenous malformation: a stepwise approach to diagnosis in a paediatric case

We report a case of acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage due to a small intestine polypoid arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in a patient with a remote history of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) 8 years earlier. The diagnosis of a small intestine AVM was made using video capsule endoscopy (VCE) and confirmed using single-balloon push enteroscopy. The lesion was marked with submucosal tattoo to aid in subsequent surgical resection of the lesion with primary duodenoduodenostomy. Since our patient's initial bleeding episode, a variety of advanced tools have become widely available to aid in the localisation of OGIB. This case illustrates the use of a stepwise approach using new medical technology to identify and manage OGIB in children. VCE and push enteroscopy proved to be important diagnostic modalities in this paediatric case.

Colon capsule endoscopy for inflammatory bowel disease

Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is designed for direct visualization of the colonic mucosa through passive propulsion. The role of CCE in the detection of colonic polyps has been extensively evaluated. As mucosal healing has emerged as a pivotal target for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there is increasing data to suggest that CCE can also be used in the monitoring of mucosal inflammation in patients with active IBD, particularly in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Despite advantages such as its non-invasive nature, patient's comfort, safety, and access to anatomical regions not easily reached by conventional endoscopy, CE has limitations including the lack of ability to obtain biopsies or therapeutic capabilities and no control over movement. In this review, the role and diagnostic value of CCE on diagnosis and monitoring of UC and CD patients, its safety and limitations are discussed.

Initial experience of video capsule endoscopy at a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND/AIM

No prior experience with video capsule endoscopy (VCE) has been published from Saudi Arabia. In this study, we aim to report the first Saudi experience with VCE.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective study was conducted between March 2013 and September 2017 at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Eligible patients underwent VCE and their data (age, sex, indication for VCE, type of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding [OGIB: overt vs occult], VCE findings, and complications) were recorded. Approval was obtained from the institutional ethics board before the study began and all patients provided verbal and signed consent for the procedure. The procedure was performed according to the established guidelines.

RESULTS

During the study period, a total 103 VCE procedures were performed on 96 patients. Overall, 60 participants (62.5%) were male (mean age, 58.8 years; range, 25-97 years) and 36 (37.5%) were female (mean age, 52.8 years; range, 18-78 years). The most frequent indication for VCE was OGIB (n = 91, 88.35%; overt, n = 46, 50.55%; occult, n = 45, 49.45%). Other indications were suspected Crohn's disease (n = 4, 3.88%), suspected complicated celiac disease (n = 4, 3.88%), and unexplained chronic abdominal pain (n = 4, 3.88%). The VCE results were categorized as incomplete (n = 2, 1.94%), poor-quality (n = 7; 6.8%), normal (n = 39, 37.86%), and abnormal (n = 55, 53.4%). The completion rate was 98.06% (n = 101), and the overall diagnostic yield was 53.4%. Of the 55 patients with abnormal VCE results, 43 (78.2%) had small bowel (SB) abnormalities and 12 (21.8%) had abnormalities in the proximal or distal gut. The most frequent SB abnormalities were angiodysplasia (n = 22, 40.0%) and tumors (n = 7, 12.7%).

CONCLUSION

The diagnostic yield of VCE for Saudi patients with OGIB is comparable to that reported internationally; however, data for other VCE indications, including inflammatory bowel disease, are still lacking.

Risk factors for surgery in patients with retention of endoscopic capsule

OBJECTIVES

Surgery is still the main means for removing retained endoscopic capsules. This study intended to evaluate risk factors for surgery in patients with capsule retention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data of 5348 consecutive capsule endoscopy examinations were retrospectively analyzed. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate risk factors.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients (1.4%) had capsule retention. Spontaneous passage occurred in 16 patients, of which 14 were asymptomatic. Successful retrieval by double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) was achieved in 14 patients, of which 11 did not need surgery during clinical follow-up. A total of 50 patients underwent surgery. The cumulative rates of surgery were 44.2%, 53.2%, 55.8%, 62.3% and 64.9% at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 60 months after capsule retention, respectively. Intestinal obstruction [hazard ratio (HR) 2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-3.76; p = .020] and overt small bowel bleeding (HR 2.01, 95%CI 1.08-3.71; p = .027) during capsule retention were independently associated with an increased risk for surgery. Specific treatment for primary disease (HR 0.22, 95%CI 0.07-0.74, p = .014) and successful endoscopic retrieval (HR 0.20, 95%CI 0.06-0.66; p = .008) were independently associated with a decreased risk for surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

For asymptomatic patients, specific medical treatment for primary disease can be maintained until the capsule spontaneously passes or symptoms appear. For patients with slight abdominal pain, DBE can be performed. For patients with intestinal obstruction or overt small bowel bleeding, early surgical consultation should be considered.

Real time visualization may be advisable to exclude aspiration in patients undergoing capsule endoscopy examination

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is currently considered as a first line diagnostic tool for small bowel examination. Some patients find swallowing the capsule difficult. However, capsule aspiration is relatively uncommon and is only reported in isolated cases. The majority of these cases are male (39/41; 95.1%) with an age ranging from 56-93 years and only 4 (9.8%) patients had a recorded history of dysphagia. Twenty-four out of 41 (58.5%) patients experienced symptoms of capsule aspiration. The aspiration self-resolved in 11/41 patients and the CE was retrieved during bronchoscopy in the other cases. We present the case of a 75 year old man with a history of chronic anemia who was referred for CE.

Asymptomatic bronchial aspiration of capsule endoscope: a significant complication

Capsule endoscopy is a safe and well-tolerated procedure allowing the direct, non-invasive mucosal investigation of the small bowel. There are, however, few limitations.

Capsule retention: prevention, diagnosis and management

Capsule retention (CR) has been defined as capsule remaining in the digestive tract for a minimum of two weeks. CR occurs approximately in 2% of all patients undergoing small bowel capsule endoscopy (CE). Prompt diagnosis of CR is important, as it has relevant clinical implications. CR should be suspected in (I) all asymptomatic patients who do not report capsule excretion within 15 days from capsule ingestion; and (II) patients with obstructive or perforation-related symptoms in which the capsule has not been excreted, regardless of the time between the onset of symptoms and capsule ingestion. Abdominal plain X-ray is the preferred test to confirm CR. An abdominal CT scan should be performed, on individual basis, if knowledge of the precise location of the retained capsule is necessary or whenever clinically indicated. Since CR is usually asymptomatic, an initial watchful monitoring is suggested. In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, a short course of medical therapy may allow capsule excretion. Nevertheless, in long-term CR, some cases of capsule fragmentation, acute obstruction and perforation have been described. Therefore, retrieval of the retained capsule is recommended if asymptomatic CR lasts for long time. A safe capsule retrieval is usually performed by endoscopy, whereas surgery remains a viable alternative if the first is unsuccessful or when clinically indicated. Either Patency Capsule^® (PC) or dedicated small bowel cross-sectional imaging techniques have been proposed to prevent CR. Both have pros and cons, but head-to-head comparative studies are lacking.

Short article: Aspiration of capsule endoscopes: a comprehensive review of the existing literature

INTRODUCTION

Capsule endoscopy (CE) has an excellent safety profile. Although retention is the most cited complication, capsule aspiration is less frequent and is often reported only as isolated cases. This study represents a systematic effort to compile and scrutinize the available data on capsule aspiration to provide comprehensive and conclusive information on this CE complication.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. The search terms used were 'capsule endoscopy' AND 'aspiration' (both terms searched as keyword and MeSH). We included case reports and/or series on capsule aspiration, as well as observational cohort studies that reported capsule aspiration among their complications/outcomes.

RESULTS

Thirty-four case reports with 37 cases of capsule aspiration were identified. A further four observational studies reported aspiration as part of a cohort of patients undergoing CE. 94.6% of aspirations occurred in elderly men. 87.1% had significant comorbidities. 59.5% had symptoms on aspiration, with cough reported most frequently. The most common location of aspiration was the right main bronchus. Half of the patients required intervention for capsule retrieval; bronchoscopy was the most common management, with good effect. There was a single fatality following capsule aspiration, not directly related to the procedure, and one case of aspiration pneumonia. Outcomes were good for all other patients. The estimated overall aspiration rate is 0.1%.

CONCLUSION

Although very rare and generally safely managed, capsule aspiration should be anticipated in certain patient groups and capsule administration should be approached with necessary precautions.

Capsule retention related to small bowel capsule endoscopy: a large European single-center 10-year clinical experience

BACKGROUND

The most concerning complication of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is capsule retention (CR) in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract although clinical outcome and management of patients with CR are still uncertain in a large single center material.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate incidence, causes, risk factors, management and clinical outcomes of CR in a large single center between 2001 and 2011.

RESULTS

2401 consecutive small-bowel (SB) VCEs were performed. CR was detected in 25 cases (1%). CR in patients with suspected and known Crohn's disease (CD) undergoing VCE occurred in 14/1370 (1%) including known CD 9/390 (2.3%) and suspected CD 5/980 (0.5%). CR in patients with obscure GI bleeding was observed in 11/816 (1.3%) cases. The SB was the most common site of CR with 17 cases followed by the esophagus (4 cases), colon (2 cases), and stomach (2 cases). Emergency endoscopic intervention (3 cases) and surgery (2 cases) was needed in 5 cases of CR. Elective capsule removal was performed by surgery in 6 cases and endoscopically in 8 cases. Three retained capsules dislodged after steroid treatment and another 3 cases of CR resolved without any intervention.

CONCLUSION

This large clinical material demonstrates that CR is a rare complication with a favorable clinical outcome. Most patients with CR can be electively managed with non-surgical intervention.