Clinical utility of wireless capsule endoscopy: experience with 200 cases

[Radiologic Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Bleeding]

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is not a single disease but a symptom and clinical manifestation of a broad spectrum of conditions in the GI tract. According to its clinical presentation, GI bleeding can be classified into overt, occult, and obscure types. Additionally, it can be divided into upper and lower GI bleeding based on the Treitz ligament. Variable disease entities, including vascular lesions, polyps, neoplasms, inflammation such as Crohn's disease, and heterotopic pancreatic or gastric tissue, can cause GI bleeding. CT and conventional angiographies and nuclear scintigraphy are all radiologic imaging modalities that can be used to evaluate overt bleeding. For the work-up of occult GI bleeding, CT enterography (CTE) can be the first imaging modality. For CTE, an adequate bowel distention is critical for obtaining acceptable diagnostic performance as well as minimizing false positives and negatives. Meckel's scintigraphy can be complementarily useful in cases where the diagnosis of CTE is suboptimal. For the evaluation of obscured GI bleeding, various imaging modalities can be used based on clinical status and providers' preferences.

Diagnostic yield of inpatient capsule endoscopy

Background

Capsule endoscopy (CE) provides a novel approach to evaluate obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Yet CE is not routinely utilized in the inpatient setting for a variety of reasons. We sought to identify factors that predict complete CE and diagnostically meaningful CE, as well as assess the impact of inpatient CE on further hospital management.1 na d2

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of patients undergoing inpatient CE at a tertiary referral, academic center over a 3 year period. We analyzed data on patient demographics, medical history, endoscopic procedures, hospital course, and results of CE. The primary outcome was complete CE and the secondary outcome was positive findings of pathology on CE.

Results

131 patients were included (56.5% were men 43.5% women, median age of 71.0 years). Overall, CE was complete in 77.1% of patients. Complete CE was not related to motility risk factors, gender, or administration modality. Patients with incomplete CE tended to be older, have lower BMI, and Caucasian, however results did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.06; p = 0.06; p = 0.08 respectively). Positive CE was noted in 73.3% of patients, with 35.1% of all patients having active bleeding. Positive CE was not associated with AVM risk factors or medication use. 28.0% of patients underwent subsequent hospital procedures, among which 67.6% identified the same pathology seen on CE.

Conclusions

Contrary to previous studies, we found the majority of inpatient CEs were complete and positive for pathology. We found high rates of correlation between CE and subsequent procedures. The use of CE in the inpatient setting helps to guide the diagnosis and treatment of hospitalized patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Feasibility, complications, and quality of visualization using video capsule endoscopy in 40 dogs with overt or questionable gastrointestinal bleeding

Background

Prospective studies describing video capsule endoscopy (VCE), its feasibility, and complications in dogs are limited.

Objective

To assess VCE, quality of visualization, complications, and risk factors for incomplete studies in dogs with overt or questionable gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB).

Animals

Forty dogs with overt or questionable GIB.

Methods

Prospective, multicenter, interventional study. From August 2017 to March 2020, dogs were examined by VCE (ALICAM) because of overt or questionable GIB. Reported outcomes included diagnostic results of VCE study, quality of visualization, and complications. Risk factors for incomplete studies were evaluated using logistic regression.

Results

In total, 40 dogs (13 overt, 27 questionable GIB) were included. The capsules were administered PO in 29 and endoscopically in 11 dogs (6 duodenum, 5 stomach). One capsule was not retrieved. In 24 of 39 recordings, bleeding lesions were identified (10 overt GIB, 14 questionable GIB). Overall, the quality of visualization was poor to limited in the stomach and colon, and adequate to good in the small intestine. The most common complication was an incomplete study in 15/39 studies, particularly after oral administration (13/28). Risk factors for incomplete study after oral administration included administration of simethicone or opioids, chronic enteropathy, and capsule gastric transit time >6 hours.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Video capsule endoscopy can be used to diagnose a variety of lesions causing bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs with questionable GIB. Incomplete studies are the most common complications in dogs after oral administration of capsules.

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.

Radiologic Assessment of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding represents a broad differential of disease throughout the GI tract. The proper diagnostic evaluation of patients presenting with symptoms of GI bleeding depends on the overall clinical acuity and suspected source locations. The radiologic assessment of these patients is centered around computed tomography (CT) angiography, CT enterography, conventional angiography, and nuclear scintigraphy.

Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in patients presenting with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB)

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is defined as bleeding of unknown origin that persists or recurs after an initial negative investigation. Identifying the source of OGIB represents a diagnostic challenge that is frequently focused on visualizing the small intestine. Conventional diagnostic methods, such as push enteroscopy, small-bowel follow-through, radionuclide scanning, and angiography, each exhibit inherent limitations. Double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) was designed specifically to evaluate the entire small bowel. DBE allows for better visualization, biopsy of the identified lesions and application of therapeutic techniques. This study sought to assess the role of DBE in the diagnosis and management of patients with OGIB.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective study was conducted to analyse data from 31 patients presenting with OGIB referred for DBE in the Endoscopy Unit at the Internal Medicine Department of the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University.

RESULTS

Five patients had lesions in locations other than the small intestine that accounted for GI bleeding. Thus, the potential source of OGIB was defined as the small intestine in 18 of 26 patients (69.2%), and negative DBE findings were noted in eight patients (30.8%). Major findings included small intestinal tumours in eight patients, vascular bleeding lesions in 8 patients and ulcerations in 2 patients. Endoscopic haemostasis was performed in eight patients with vascular lesions. The three patients with Petuz-Jegher syndrome underwent polypectomy of their major polyps. Patients with gastrointestinal tumours were referred for surgery.

CONCLUSION

DBE is an excellent endoscopic procedure that has a relatively high diagnostic and therapeutic yield. The procedure is feasible and exhibits a high safety profile with a low complication rate when performed by an experienced endoscopist.

Lubiprostone improves visualization of small bowel for capsule endoscopy: a double-blind, placebo-controlled 2-way crossover study

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

 Lubiprostone has been reported to be an anti-constipation drug. The aim of the study was to investigate the usefulness of lubiprostone both for bowel preparation and as a propulsive agent in small bowel endoscopy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

 This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-way crossover study of subjects who volunteered to undergo capsule endoscopy (CE). A total of 20 subjects (16 male and 4 female volunteers) were randomly assigned to receive a 24-μg tablet of lubiprostone 120 minutes prior to capsule ingestion for CE (L regimen), or a placebo tablet 120 minutes prior to capsule ingestion for CE (P regimen). Main outcome was gastric transit time (GTT) and small-bowel transit time (SBTT). Secondary outcome was adequacy of small-bowel cleansing and the fluid score in the small bowel. The quality of the capsule endoscopic images and fluid in the small bowel were assessed on 5-point scale.

RESULTS

 The capsule passed into the small bowel in all cases. Median GTT was 57.3 (3 - 221) minutes for the P regimen and 61.3 (10 - 218) minutes for the L regimen ( P  = 0.836). Median SBTT was 245.0 (164 - 353) minutes for the P regimen and 228.05 (116 - 502) minutes for the L regimen ( P  = 0.501). The image quality score in the small bowel was 3.05 ± 1.08 for the P regimen and 3.80 ± 0.49 for the L regimen ( P  < 0.001). The fluid score in the small bowel was 2.04 ± 1.58 for the P regimen and 2.72 ± 1.43 for the L regimen ( P  < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the 2 regimens with regard to image quality. The fluid score was more plentiful for the L regimen than for the P regimen. There were no cases of capsule retention or serious adverse events in this study.

CONCLUSION

 Our study showed that use of lubiprostone prior to CE significantly improved visualization of the small bowel during CE as a result of inducing fluid secretion into the small bowel.

Surveillance using capsule endoscopy is safe in post-colectomy patients with familial adenomatous polyposis: a prospective Japanese study

The utility of capsule endoscopy (CE) for the surveillance of small intestinal lesions in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients has been reported. However, few studies have investigated the safety of CE in FAP patients who have undergone colon surgery. We aimed to assess the safety of surveillance CE in post-colectomy FAP patients and the endoscopic findings associated with small intestinal lesions. We assessed the safety of CE surveillance of small intestinal lesions in 41 FAP patients who had undergone colectomies. Forty-two CEs were performed in 41 patients at our facility from April 2012 to July 2014. CE was conducted safely and none of the capsules were retained, despite the inclusion of patients who had undergone several abdominal surgeries previously. Thirty-nine out of 42 capsules (93 %) were retrieved within the examination timeframe; hence, the retrieval rate was favorable. The findings from this study indicate that surveillance CE can be safely conducted in post-colectomy FAP patients.

Sedation With Propofol Has No Effect on Capsule Endoscopy Completion Rates: A Prospective Single-Center Study

Patients who need both capsule endoscopy (CE) and colonoscopy often undergo both examinations on the same day to avoid repeated bowel preparation and fasting. Sedation can relieve pain and is commonly used for colonoscopies but may influence the CE completion rate.To determine whether sedation with propofol influences the completion rate and small-bowel transit time (SBTT) of CE.From July 2014 to December 2014, patients (18-65 years old) who needed both CE and colonoscopy were assessed consecutively for enrollment in our study. Colonoscopies were performed with or without sedation based on patient preferences on the day of capsule ingestion. The completion rate, SBTT, and diagnostic yield of CEs were recorded. Patients' satisfaction and pain scores were also recorded.Sedation with propofol had no significant effect on CE completion rates (83.3% sedation group vs 81.8% nonsedation group, P = 0.86) but was associated with increased SBTT (403.6 ± 160.3 sedation group vs 334.5 ± 134.4 nonsedation group, P = 0.006). The diagnostic yields in the sedation and nonsedation groups were 69.4% and 65.9%, respectively (P = 0.74). The median satisfaction scores were 8.6 in the sedation group and 3.5 in the nonsedation group (P < 0.001). Median pain scores were 1.4 in the sedation group and 6.7 in the nonsedation group (P < 0.001).Sedation with propofol increased SBTT but had no effect on CE completion rates, suggesting that CE and colonoscopy with propofol can be performed on the same day (clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR-ONRC-14004866).

Small-bowel capsule endoscopy in patients with unexplained chronic abdominal pain: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Patients frequently consult primary care physicians and gastroenterologists when experiencing chronic abdominal pain. Although its diagnostic efficacy in these settings is uncertain, small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) has been used to evaluate the unexplained reasons for abdominal pain.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the diagnostic yield of SBCE in patients with unexplained chronic abdominal pain.

DESIGN

We performed a retrospective review of publications reporting the diagnostic yield of SBCE in patients with unexplained chronic abdominal pain and calculated the overall diagnostic yield.

SETTING

Two investigators independently searched studies from databases and analyzed the results.

PATIENTS

A total of 1520 patients from 21 studies were included.

INTERVENTIONS

Small-bowel capsule endoscopy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Per-patient diagnostic yield, with 95% confidence intervals (CI), was evaluated by a random-effect model. Clear categorical analysis also was performed.

RESULTS

The pooled diagnostic yield of SBCE in patients with unexplained chronic abdominal pain was 20.9% (95% CI, 15.9%-25.9%), with high heterogeneity (I(2) = 80.0%; P ＜ .001). Inflammatory lesions were the most common (78.3%) positive findings, followed by tumors (9.0%).

LIMITATIONS

Heterogeneity among studies, retrospective design, variable chronicity of abdominal pain, and different previous examinations before SBCE.

CONCLUSION

SBCE provides a noninvasive diagnostic tool for patients with unexplained chronic abdominal pain, but the diagnostic yield is limited (20.9%). Among patients with positive findings, inflammatory lesions are the most common.

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: diagnostic performance of 64-section multiphase CT enterography and CT angiography compared with capsule endoscopy

OBJECTIVE

To compare the diagnostic capabilities between capsule endoscopy (CE) and multislice CT (MSCT) enterography in combination with MSCT angiography for assessment of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).

METHODS

A total of 127 patients with OGIB were looked at in this study. 82 patients (aged 42.7 ± 19.1 years; 34 males) were assigned to receive MSCT diagnosis and 67 patients to (aged 53.9 ± 16.2 years; 28 males) receive CE diagnosis. Among them, 22 patients (aged 54.1 ± 19.1 years; 12 males) received both examinations. Oral isotonic mannitol and intramuscular injection of anisodamine were performed; non-ionic contrast (iopromide, 370 mg I ml(-1)) was intravenously administered; and then multiphase scanning was conducted at arterial, small intestinal and portal venous phases in MSCT. The results were compared with findings of reference standards including double balloon enteroscopy, digital subtraction angiography, intraoperative pathological examination and/or clinical diagnosis.

RESULTS

Administration of anisodamine markedly increased the satisfaction rate of bowel filling (94.67% vs 28.57%; p < 0.001) but not the diagnostic yield (p = 0.293) of MSCT. Compared with MSCT, CE showed an improved overall diagnostic yield (68.66% vs 47.56%; p = 0.010), which was also observed in overt bleeding patients (i.e. patients with continued passage of visible blood) (76.19% vs 51.02%; p = 0.013) and in patients aged younger than 40 years of age (85% vs 51.28%; p = 0.024). However, CE had similar positive rates to MSCT (p > 0.05). Among the 22 cases in whom both examinations were conducted, CE showed no significantly different diagnostic capability compared with MSCT (p = 0.4597).

CONCLUSION

Both CE and MSCT are safe and effective diagnostic methods for OGIB.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

CE is preferred for overt bleeding or patients aged younger than 40 years. The combined use of CE and MSCT is recommended in OGIB diagnosis.

CT enterography in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive and update overview of clinical application of CT enterography (CTE) in the evaluation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). We performed a systematic review of relevant literatures in PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library and pooled the yield of CTE and the incremental yield (IY) of CTE over an alternate modality. A total of 18 studies (n = 660) reported the yield of CTE in evaluating OGIB and the pooled yield was 40% (95% confidence interval (CI): 33-49%). Seven studies (n = 279) compared the yield of CTE with capsule endoscopy (CE). The yield for CTE and CE for all findings was 34% and 53%, respectively (IY = -19%, 95% CI = -34% to -4%). When considering the types of identified lesions, the yield was significantly different for vascular and inflammatory lesions but not significantly different for neoplastic or other lesions. Two studies (n = 63) compared the yield of CTE with double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE). The yield for CTE and DBE was 38% and 78%, respectively (IY = -40%, 95% CI = -55% to -25%). Three studies (n = 49) compared the yield of CTE with digital subtraction angiography. The yield for CTE and digital subtraction angiography was 64% and 60%, respectively (IY = 4%, 95% CI = -40% to 47%). CTE is an excellent diagnostic tool in patients with OGIB. It may play a complementary role to CE and can be used as a triage tool prior to DBE in evaluating OGIB.

Advances in complete small-bowel examination by capsule endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy (CE) has a battery life of 8 h, during which time complete small-bowel examination can be achieved in most cases. However, in 10-30% of cases, the capsule cannot reach the ileocecal valve before the end of the life of the capsule's battery due to factors other than mechanical bowel obstruction. Incomplete examination of the entire small bowel leaves room for missing lesions. Some studies have shown that diabetes mellitus can lead to gastroparesis and increase gastric transit time (GTT), while history of abdominal surgery can increase small bowel transit time (SBTT). Therefore, these two factors can decrease the rate of complete small-bowel examination by CE. Purgative bowel cleansing can improve the detectability and image quality of CE, but has no significant impact on GTT, SBTT and CR. Prokinetic drugs, real-time CE, right lateral position, and chewing-gum are all under research for increasing CR. In future studies, emphasis should be placed in improving the diagnostic ability of CR and ensuring optimal intervention for patients with high risk factors for incomplete small-bowel examination.

Factors associated with incomplete small bowel capsule endoscopy studies

AIM: To identify patient risk factors associated with incomplete small bowel capsule endoscopy (CE) studies.

METHODS: Data from all CE procedures performed at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, between December 2001 and June 2008 were collected and analyzed on a retrospective basis. Data collection for complete and incomplete CE study groups included patient demographics as well as a number of potential risk factors for incomplete CE including indication for the procedure, hospitalization, diabetes mellitus with or without end organ damage, limitations in mobility, renal insufficiency, past history of bowel obstruction, abdominal surgery, abdominal radiation therapy and opiate use. Risk factors were analyzed using a univariable and multivariable logistic regression model.

RESULTS: From a total of 535 CE procedures performed, 158 were incomplete (29.5%). The univariable analysis showed that CE procedures performed for overt gastrointestinal bleeding (P = 0.002), and for patients with a prior history of abdominal surgery (P = 0.023) or bowel obstruction (P = 0.023) were significantly associated with incomplete CE studies. Patients on opiate medications (P = 0.094) as well as hospitalized patients (P = 0.054) were not statistically significant, but did show a trend towards incomplete CE. The multivariable analysis showed that independent risk factors for an incomplete CE procedure include prior history of bowel obstruction [odds ratios (OR) 2.77, P = 0.02, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.17-6.56] and procedures performed for gastrointestinal bleeding (Occult OR 2.04, P = 0.037, 95% CI: 1.04-4.02 and Overt OR 2.69, P = 0.002, 95% CI: 1.44-5.05). Patients with a prior history of abdominal surgery (OR 1.46, P = 0.068, 95% CI: 0.97-2.19), those taking opiate medications (OR 1.54, P = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.86-2.76) and hospitalized patients (OR 1.82, P = 0.124, 95% CI: 0.85-3.93) showed a trend towards statistical significance.

CONCLUSION: We have identified a number of risk factors for incomplete CE procedures that can be used to risk-stratify patients and guide interventions to improve completion rates.

Negative capsule endoscopy without subsequent enteroscopy does not predict lower long-term rebleeding rates in patients with obscure GI bleeding

BACKGROUND

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is now widely accepted as a first-line diagnostic modality for obscure GI bleeding (OGIB). However, the clinical implications of negative results of CE studies remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate long-term (>1 year) outcomes for patients undergoing CE for OGIB and to identify risk factors associated with rebleeding.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital.

METHODS

A total of 57 consecutive patients who had undergone CE for OGIB were enrolled and their pre- and post-CE clinical data were collected. Specific treatments were defined as treatments directly aimed at presumed bleeding causes including hemostasis and disease-specific medical therapy, whereas nonspecific treatments were defined as symptomatic treatments for anemia.

RESULTS

Of the 57 patients, the indication for CE was obscure-overt bleeding in 46 patients and obscure-occult bleeding in 11 patients. Among 51 patients for whom long-term data were available, significant (P2) lesions were found in 23 (45.1%) patients. The overall rebleeding rate was 35.3% during a median follow-up duration of 31.7 months (range 12.8-58.0 months). There was no statistically significant difference in the cumulative rebleeding rate between patients with positive and negative CE results (34.8% vs 35.7%, respectively; P = .989). However, specific treatments after CE (hazard ratio, 0.111; 95% CI, 0.013-0.980; P = .043) significantly decreased rebleeding.

LIMITATIONS

Small number of patients, retrospective study design.

CONCLUSIONS

The rebleeding rate for patients with OGIB and negative CE results was substantial, indicating that these patients should be closely observed. However, specific treatment after CE significantly reduced the incidence of recurrent bleeding.

Evaluation of iron deficiency anemia in older adults: the role of wireless capsule endoscopy

INTRODUCTION

Anemia although a frequent problem in all age groups, is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Despite standard endoscopic diagnostic evaluations with esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy, up to 30% of patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are without a definitive diagnosis. Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) (occult or overt) from the small bowel, could be the source of IDA in patients with normal EGD and colonoscopy. Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE), a relatively new diagnostic modality helps in the detection of small bowel mucosal abnormalities.

AIM

The aim of this study is to report on the diagnostic yield (DY) of WCE for IDA with or without OGIB in older adults and its comparison with younger age groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, data is based on652 consecutive WCE performed during a 5-year period (2002 to 2007).

RESULTS

Total number ofWCE=652 (males=311, females=341). IDA was the indication for WCE in 424 of 652 cases (65%). Most common finding observed by WCE in patients with IDA without OGIB: group 1 (age<50 y)=small bowel erosion (19%) and ulceration (19%), group 2 (age 50 to 64 y)=small bowel erosion (33%), group 3 (age 65 to 85 y, older adults)=small bowel erosion (30%), and group 4 (age>85 y, the oldest old)=small bowel erosion (38%). Most common finding observed by WCE in patients with IDA with OGIB: group 1=small bowel ulceration (19%), group 2=small bowel erosion (26%), group 3=small bowel erosion (38%), and group 4=angiodysplasia (55%). DY of WCE for IDA without OGIB: group 1=50%, group 2=52%, group 3=56%, and group 4=69%. DY of WCE for IDA with OGIB: group 1=38%, group 2=58%, group 3=63%, and group 4=73%. Active bleeding in the small bowel was seen in 48 of 424 (11%) patients with IDA.

CONCLUSIONS

WCE, a valuable tool for the visualization of entire small bowel mucosa plays a critical role for the evaluation of IDA in patients with negative EGD and colonoscopy. Small bowel erosions, ulcerations, and angiodysplasia observed by WCE are the most frequent findings in patients with IDA. DY of WCE in the evaluation of IDA progressively increases as age advances.

Are bowel purgatives and prokinetics useful for small-bowel capsule endoscopy? A prospective randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is limited by incomplete small-bowel transit and poor view quality in the distal bowel. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the use of bowel purgatives or prokinetics in CE.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the usefulness of bowel purgatives and prokinetics in small-bowel CE.

DESIGN

Prospective single-blind randomized controlled study.

SETTING

Academic endoscopy unit.

PATIENTS

A total of 150 patients prospectively recruited.

INTERVENTION

Patients were randomized to 1 of 4 preparations: "standard" (fluid restriction then nothing by mouth 12 hours before the procedure, water and simethicone at capsule ingestion [S]); "standard" + 10 mg oral metoclopramide before the procedure (M); Citramag + senna bowel-purgative regimen the evening before CE (CS); Citramag + senna + 10 mg metoclopramide before the procedure (CSM).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Gastric transit time (GTT) and small-bowel transit time (SBTT), completion rates (CR), view quality, and patient acceptability.

SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

positive findings, diagnostic yield.

RESULTS

No significant difference was noted among groups for GTT (median [minutes] M, CS, and CSM vs S: 17.3, 24.7, and 15.1 minutes vs 16.8 minutes, respectively; P = .62, .18, and .30, respectively), SBTT (median [minutes] M, CS, and CSM vs S: 260, 241, and 201 vs 278, respectively; P = .91, .81, and .32, respectively), or CRs (85%, 85%, and 88% vs 89% for M, CS, and CSM vs S, respectively; P = .74, .74, and 1.00, respectively). There was no significant difference in view quality among groups (of 44: 38, 37, and 40 vs 37 for M, CS, and CSM, vs S, respectively; P = .18, .62, and .12, respectively). Diagnostic yield was similar among the groups. CS and CSM regimens were significantly less convenient (P < .001), and CS was significantly less comfortable (P = .001) than standard preparation.

CONCLUSIONS

Bowel purgatives and prokinetics do not improve CRs or view quality at CE, and bowel purgatives reduce patient acceptability.

Risk factors for incomplete small-bowel capsule endoscopy

BACKGROUND

In 20% to 30% of capsule endoscopy (CE) procedures, the capsule does not reach the cecum within recording time, with incomplete imaging of the small bowel, which limits the value of CE.

OBJECTIVE

To identify possible risk factors for incomplete small-bowel CE examinations.

DESIGN

Data from consecutive CE procedures performed between September 2003 and August 2007 were analyzed. All patients had received the same preparation before the CE procedure, including the administration of a prokinetic agent.

SETTING

Single-center retrospective study.

PATIENTS

A total of 291 CE studies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Data were collected regarding patient demographics and potential risk factors. Cecal incompletion rates were calculated. Risk factors were analyzed by using a binary regression analysis.

RESULTS

CE was incomplete in 55 cases (19%). The gastric transit time was significantly longer in patients with incomplete CE procedures than in patients with complete CE procedures (median 45 minutes vs 21 minutes, P= .005). Previous small-bowel surgery, hospitalization, moderate or poor bowel cleansing, and a gastric transit time longer than 45 minutes were identified as independent risk factors for incomplete CE procedures.

LIMITATION

A retrospective study design.

CONCLUSIONS

The identification of several risk factors for incomplete CE procedures allows for selectively targeting these factors in future procedures to reduce the risk of incomplete CE examinations.

Recent progress in clinical applications of capsule endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy has been widely used since it was approved by the Food & Drug Administration in the USA in 2001. It plays an important role in the investigation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn's disease and complications of coeliac disease, and surveillance of polyposis syndromes in adults. Despite a lag in its use in paediatrics, capsule endoscopy offers an accurate and effective means of investigating the small bowel in children. It has opened up new horizons and provided a noninvasive approach to identify occult lesions in the small bowel. This article reviews the recent advance in clinical applications of capsule endoscopy.

Initial experience of capsule endoscopy among healthy individuals

AIM: To assess the practical usefulness and diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy among healthy individuals.

METHODS: We retrospectively collected and analyzed the clinical data of 114 healthy individuals receiving capsule endoscopy examinations in our hospital from March 2002 to October 2007.

RESULTS: The ratio of successful examination was 99.12% (113/114). Sixty individuals (53.10%) were found with small intestinal diseases of different properties. Forty-three individuals were diagnosed with one kind of small intestinal lesions, 10 with 2 kinds of intestinal lesions, and 7 with 3 kinds of intestinal lesions. Of the 113 individuals, 17 didn't need medical management, 13 needed following up, other examinations or medical interference if necessary, and 30 needed drug interference and following up.

CONCLUSION: Capsule endoscopy can be an alternative modality for diagnosing and screening intestinal diseases, and it is useful for early diagnosis and treatment of small intestinal lesions in asymptomatic people.

Capsule endoscopy: past, present, and future

A capsule endoscope is a swallowable wireless miniature camera for getting images of the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa. The initial capsule endoscope model was developed by Given Imaging and approved in Western countries in 2001. Before the introduction of capsule endoscopy (CE) and double-balloon endoscopy (DBE), there was no effective modality for the evaluation and management of patients with obscure GI bleeding. Obscure GI bleeding is defined as bleeding of unknown origin that persists or recurs after a negative initial or primary endoscopy (colonoscopy or upper endoscopy) result. The first capsule endoscope model, which is now regarded as a first-line tool for the detection of abnormalities of the small bowel, was the PillCam SB. It was approved in Japan in April 2007. The main indication for use of the PillCam SB is obscure GI bleeding. Almost the only complication of CE is capsule retention, which is the capsule remaining in the digestive tract for a minimum of 2 weeks. A retained capsule can be retrieved by DBE. There are some limitations of CE in that it cannot be used to obtain a biopsy specimen or for endoscopic treatment. However, the combination of a PillCam SB and DBE seems to be the best strategy for management of obscure GI bleeding. Recently, several new types of capsule endoscope have been developed, such as Olympus CE for the small bowel, PillCam ESO for investigation of esophageal diseases, and PillCam COLON for detection of colonic neoplasias. In the near future, CE is expected to have a positive impact on many aspects of GI disease evaluation and management.

Small bowel capsule endoscopy in 2007: indications, risks and limitations

Capsule endoscopy has revoluzionized the study of the small bowel by providing a reliable method to evaluate, endoscopically, the entire small bowel. In the last six years several papers have been published exploring the possible role of this examination in different clinical conditions. At the present time capsule endoscopy is generally recommended as a third examination, after negative bidirectional endoscopy, in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. A growing body of evidence suggests also an important role for this examination in other clinical conditions such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, small bowel polyposis syndromes or small bowel tumors. The main complication of this examination is the retention of the device at the site of a previously unknown small bowel stricture. However there are also some other open issues mainly due to technical limitations of this tool (which is not driven from remote control, is unable to take biopsies, to insufflate air, to suck fluids or debris and sometimes to correctly size and locate lesions). The recently developed double balloon enteroscope, owing to its capability to explore a large part of the small bowel and to take targeted biopsies, although being invasive and time consuming, can overcome some limitations of capsule endoscopy. At the present time, in the majority of clinical conditions (i.e. obscure GI bleeding), the winning strategy seems to be to couple these two techniques to explore the small bowel in a painless, safe and complete way (with capsule endoscopy) and to define and treat the lesions identified (with double balloon enteroscopy).

Small bowel capsule endoscopy in 2007: indications, risks and limitations

Capsule endoscopy has revoluzionized the study of the small bowel by providing a reliable method to evaluate, endoscopically, the entire small bowel. In the last six years several papers have been published exploring the possible role of this examination in different clinical conditions. At the present time capsule endoscopy is generally recommended as a third examination, after negative bidirectional endoscopy, in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. A growing body of evidence suggests also an important role for this examination in other clinical conditions such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, small bowel polyposis syndromes or small bowel tumors. The main complication of this examination is the retention of the device at the site of a previously unknown small bowel stricture. However there are also some other open issues mainly due to technical limitations of this tool (which is not driven from remote control, is unable to take biopsies, to insufflate air, to suck fluids or debris and sometimes to correctly size and locate lesions). The recently developed double balloon enteroscope, owing to its capability to explore a large part of the small bowel and to take targeted biopsies, although being invasive and time consuming, can overcome some limitations of capsule endoscopy. At the present time, in the majority of clinical conditions (i.e. obscure GI bleeding), the winning strategy seems to be to couple these two techniques to explore the small bowel in a painless, safe and complete way (with capsule endoscopy) and to define and treat the lesions identified (with double balloon enteroscopy).

Usefulness and impact on management of positive and negative capsule endoscopy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the usefulness of positive and negative capsule endoscopies (CEs), and the impact of each on short- and long-term patient management.

METHODS

Medical records were reviewed for 70 consecutive CE patients. Based on outcomes from referring physicians, it was determined whether CE was useful, partially useful or not useful at all in the overall patient management, and whether CE assisted in providing a diagnosis, and impacted on short-term long-term management.

RESULTS

CE indications included overt bleeding (37%), occult bleeding (20%), iron deficiency (17%), abdominal pain and weight loss (13%), assessing the extent of or confirming a diagnosis of Crohn's disease (9%) and screening for familial adenomatous polyposis (4%). Positive studies were seen in 58% of overt bleeds, 50% of occult bleeds, 33% of iron deficiencies and 33% of Crohn's diseases. Overall, 28 studies (40%) were positive studies and 42 (60%) were negative studies. CE aided in diagnosis in 11 of 28 (39%) positive and 12 of 42 (29%) negative studies (P=0.35). Positive and negative CEs had an impact on short-term management in 12 of 28 (43%) versus 18 of 42 (43%) cases, respectively (P=1.0), and on long-term management in 14 of 28 (50%) versus 15 of 42 (36%) cases, respectively (P=0.23). For positive and negative studies, respectively, CE was considered useful in 12 of 28 (43%) versus 15 of 42 (36%) cases (39% overall), partially useful in 10 of 28 (36%) versus 10 of 42 (24%) cases (28% overall), and not useful at all in six of 28 (21%) versus 17 of 42 (40%) cases (33% overall).

CONCLUSIONS

Although a negative CE may aid in making a definitive diagnosis in only 29% of patients, its effect on management and overall usefulness is similar to that of a positive CE. A physician's decision on whether to order CE should not be based solely on the pretest probability of a positive examination but also on the clinical utility of a negative study.

Video-capsule endoscopy gastric and small bowel transit time and completeness of the examination in patients with diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Small intestine video-capsule endoscopy examination in patients with diabetes mellitus may be incomplete due to delayed gastric emptying.

AIM

To measure video-capsule endoscopy gastric and small bowel transit time and to assess the completeness of the examination in diabetes mellitus patients.

METHODS

In this retrospective, case-control study, we examined capsule endoscopy videos from 29 consecutive diabetes mellitus patients. Fifty-eight matched for sex, type of preparation, age and reason for referral non-diabetic controls were selected from our video-capsule endoscopy database. Two independent experienced investigators measured transit times and assessed examinations' completeness.

RESULTS

Video-capsule endoscopy gastric transit time was significantly longer in diabetes mellitus (87, 1-478 min) compared to non-diabetic patients (24, 4-108 min, p<0.001). The caecum was visualized in 20/29 (69%) diabetes mellitus and 52/58 (89.6%) non-diabetic controls (p=0.02). In 16 diabetes mellitus patients that video-capsule endoscopy reached the caecum, small bowel transit time was significantly shorter (261.2+/-55.5 min) compared to their 32 non-diabetic matched controls (302+/-62.7 min, p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have prolonged video-capsule endoscopy gastric transit time compared to non-diabetic patients. Prospective studies are required to complete our understanding of video-capsule endoscopy transit times in the setting of diabetes mellitus.

Capsule endoscopy changes patient management in routine clinical practice

Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and effect of capsule endoscopy on patient management in routine clinical practice. Three hundred examinations were performed (176 females; mean age, 51 years), with a median follow-up of 17 months. Indications included overt bleeding (n=55), anemia (n=104), suspected Crohn's disease (n=68), celiac disease (n=35), suspected functional symptoms (n=23), polyposis (n=5), and miscellaneous (n=10). The overall diagnostic yield was 39%, but it was notably higher in overt bleeders, 66%, compared to 46% in the anemia group (P<0.025), 32% in the suspected Crohn's group (P<0.001), and 17% in the functional group (P<0.001). As a result of capsule endoscopy, management was altered in 26% of patients. This study shows that capsule endoscopy has both a high diagnostic yield and an impact on subsequent patient management. These data further support the role of capsule endoscopy in routine clinical practice.