Double‐balloon endoscopy in clinical practice: Where are we now?

Double‐balloon endoscopy (DBE) was developed in 2000 for the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel diseases. Although use rates still differ between Eastern and Western countries, DBE quickly reached a broad global diffusion. Together with capsule endoscopy (CE), DBE represented ‘a revolution’ for the management of small bowel diseases because of its therapeutic capabilities. At present, the main indications for DBE in clinical practice are obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn's disease and familial polyposis. In the setting of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, DBE seems to have similar diagnostic performances as capsule endoscopy, but it allows for a more definitive diagnosis and the treatment of identified lesions. The main contribution of DBE in the management of Crohn's disease patients is its therapeutic capabilities. Indeed, several recently published studies have suggested that endoscopic dilation of small bowel strictures can delay or, in the near future, could even replace surgical interventions. Also, for patients with familial polyposis syndromes, DBE can represent a viable alternative to small bowel surgery. The complication rate of DBE appears to be low; major complications, such as pancreatitis, bleeding and perforation, have been reported in approximately 1% of all diagnostic DBE whereas the complication rate for therapeutic procedures is about 5%.     

LONG‐TERM OUTCOME OF ENDOSCOPIC BALLOON DILATION IN OBSTRUCTIVE GASTROINTESTINAL CROHN's DISEASE

Background: Gastrointestinal strictures are the most often and serious complication in Crohn's disease. Because of the frequent postoperative recurrence in Crohn's disease, endoscopic therapy of gastrointestinal stricture is one of the best therapeutic options. Method: The present study sets out the results from a prospective study of endoscopic dilation therapy on 48 Crohn's disease patients with severe gastrointestinal stenoses. All patients who could not undergo endoscopic balloon dilation therapy (EBD) were operated on. Results: Long‐term success was attained in 32 of the 48 patients; cumulative avoidance of surgery after EBD was 86% at one year and 71% at three. Second, the most hazardous factor was recurrent inflammation causing restenosis. Patients who had strictures with oral luminal dilatation and patients with frequent recurrence had a tendency to be operated on. As a complication, perforation occurred in two cases (3.3%). Conclusions: EBD therapy for Crohn's stricture in the gastrointestinal tract is recommended before surgical intervention.     

ENDOSCOPIC BALLOON DILATATION USING DOUBLE‐BALLOON ENDOSCOPY IS A USEFUL AND SAFE TREATMENT FOR SMALL INTESTINAL STRICTURES IN CROHN'S DISEASE

Background: Endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) is a therapeutic option for intestinal strictures of Crohn's disease (CD). Double‐balloon endoscopy (DBE) enables EBD to be performed even for deep‐situated strictures of the small intestine. The aim of this study was to clarify the efficacy and safety of EBD using DBE for small bowel strictures in patients with CD. Patients and Methods: The subjects comprised 25 patients with CD who underwent EBD using DBE for small intestinal strictures for which a colonoscope or gastrointestinal scope could not be inserted. All subjects had obstructive symptoms due to strictures that were confirmed using small intestinal enteroclysis. They were observed for at least 6 months after the initial EBD. The short‐term success rate of EBD using DBE, the complication rate and the long‐term outcome were investigated. Results: This procedure was successful with regard to short‐term dilatation in 18 of the 25 CD patients (72%). Long strictures measuring more than 3 cm were seen in six out of seven (85.7%) of the unsuccessful EBD cases, compared with two out of 18 (11.1%) of the successful EBD cases (P = 0.001). Complications were encountered in two of the 25 patients (8%). The cumulative surgery‐free rate for all the subjects was 83% and 72% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Conclusion: EBD using DBE is a useful and safe procedure for small intestinal short strictures in CD patients. We conclude that this procedure is a therapeutic option that should be attempted before resorting to surgical therapy.     

双气囊小肠镜的临床应用及评价

目的探讨双气囊电子小肠镜对小肠疾病的诊断价值及其安全性。方法对怀疑或证实有小肠疾病的156例患者进行小肠镜检查,经口检查22例,经肛门检查32例,双侧对接检查102例。结果小肠镜对小肠病变的阳性检出率为69.2%(108/156),小肠出血患者的病变检出率最高(83.3%),腹痛患者的病变检出率较低(51.7%),两组检出率相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。肿瘤是小肠出血最多见的病因(25.0%),其次为憩室(19.4%)。黑便患者主要经口进镜检出(59.5%),鲜血便患者主要通过经肛进镜检出(74.3%),两者相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。小肠镜检查无明显并发症出现。结论双气囊小肠镜检查成功率高,安全可靠,可作为小肠疾病诊断的首选方法。     

Current status of device-assisted enteroscopy: Technical matters, indication, limits and complications

Enteroscopy, defined as direct visualization of the smallbowel with the use of a fiberoptic or capsule endoscopy, has progressed considerably over the past severalyears. The need for endoscopic access to improvediagnosis and treatment of small bowel disease hasled to the development of novel technologies one ofwhich is noninvasive, the video capsule, and a type of invasive technique, the deviceassisted enteroscopy.In particular, the device-assisted enteroscopy consiststhen of three different types of instruments all able toallow, in skilled hands, to display partially or throug-hout its extension (if necessary) the small intestine.Newer devices, double balloon, single balloon and spiral endoscopy, are just entering clinical use. The aim of this article is to review recent advances in small bowelenteroscopy, focusing on indications, modifications toimprove imaging and techniques, pitfalls, and clinical applications of the new instruments. With new technologies, the trials and tribulations of learning new endo-scopic skills and determining their role in the diagnosisand treatment of small bowel disease come. Identification of small bowel lesions has dramatically improved.Studies are underway to determine the best strategy toapply new enteroscopy technologies for the diagnosisand management of small bowel disease, particularly obscure bleeding. Vascular malformations such as angiectasis and small bowel neoplasms as adenocar cinomaor gas trointestinal stromal tumors. Complete entero-scopy of the small bowel is now possible. However, because of the length of the small bowel, endoscopic examination and the rapeutic maneuvers require significant skill, radiological assistance, the use of deep sedation with the assistance of the anesthetist. Prospective ran-domized studies are needed to guide diagnostic testing and the rapy with these new endoscopic techniques.     

双气囊小肠镜与胶囊内镜在小肠出血应用中的对比研究

目的比较双气囊小肠镜与胶囊内镜在小肠出血中的病变检出率、病因诊断率、耐受性和安全性,初步探讨双气囊小肠镜对小肠出血的内镜下治疗。方法2006年4月至2009年10月烟台毓璜顶医院消化内科收治的可疑小肠出血患者159例,其中81例患者行双气囊小肠镜检查,首选进镜方式分为经口或经肛2种,首选方式检查后未发现病灶者,日后改换进镜方式再行检查。对活动性出血病灶行内镜下止血治疗。另78例患者行胶囊内镜检查。两组患者分别由专门医师独立操作并诊断,最后进行汇总分析,对比双气囊小肠镜与胶囊内镜的临床应用价值。结果双气囊小肠镜组的病变检出率为95.06%,病因诊断率为82.72%,23例检查时见病变活动性出血,行内镜下止血治疗,21例止血成功,内镜止血成功率为91.30%;胶囊内镜组的病变检出率82.05%,病因诊断率为66.67%。双气囊小肠镜组的病因检出率及病因诊断率均显著高于胶囊内镜组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。在耐受性方面,胶囊内镜的耐受性最好,双气囊小肠镜的耐受性依次为:全麻下经肛进镜、全麻下经口进镜、非麻醉经肛进镜、非麻醉经口进镜。所有患者均未发生严重并发症。结论双气囊小肠镜对小肠出血的病因诊断明显优于胶囊内镜,并且可行内镜下止血治疗,是一项安全、有效的临床诊疗方法。     

Small bowel tuberculosis diagnosed by the combination of video capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy

Small bowel tuberculosis is sometimes encountered in oriental countries, and because its symptoms are vague and present a nonspecific pattern, confirmative diagnosis is difficult to achieve. In 2001, two new innovative endoscopic techniques for the small bowel, video capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy, were introduced, thus advancing the diagnostic technology for small bowel disorders. Our asymptomatic patient with small bowel tuberculosis was diagnosed definitively using the combination of video capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy. The number of such cases will increase when those procedures become more widely used. At present, the endoscopic view of small bowel tuberculosis is difficult to differentiate from Crohn's disease and drug-induced enteropathy, but from now on it will be possible to distinguish them utilizing endoscopic and fluoroscopic images. On the basis of the characteristics of small bowel tuberculosis with its endoscopic images, referring to our case report and previous literature, we report a topical diagnostic procedure, the combination of video capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy.     

CURRENT STATUS OF DOUBLE BALLOON ENDOSCOPY

Yamamoto and colleagues have developed a novel insertion method of the endoscope, the ‘double balloon method’ for enteroscopy and, recently, a specialized system for the ‘double balloon method’ has been commercialized by Fujinon. The double balloon endoscopy enables visualization of the entire small bowel and also allows for interventional therapy in the small intestine. This method could be used either from the oral or anal approach. Observation of an affected area with controlled movement of the endoscope enables interventions, including biopsies, hemostasis, balloon dilatation, stent placement, polypectomy, and endoscopic mucosal resection. The procedure is safe and useful, and it provides high diagnostic yields and therapeutic capabilities.     

Double balloon (push-and-pull) enteroscopy: breakthrough in the management of small intestinal strictures in Crohn's disease?

Development of strictures is common in Crohn's disease, leading to resective surgery in many cases. Endoscopic balloon dilation has been used alternatively, to treat short fibrotic strictures to avoid resection. Although the small bowel is a predominant site of strictures in Crohn's disease, endoscopic access had been limited. With the advent of double balloon (push-and-pull) enteroscopy, visualization of small intestinal stenoses has become possible. In the case of short fibrotic strictures hydrostatic balloon dilation can be performed. Pohl et al. report in this issue (Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 19:529-534) a first series of patients with suspected small bowel strictures that were confirmed by double balloon enteroscopy. Hydrostatic balloon dilation was feasible and safe in selected patients with short fibrotic stenosis, favorable anatomy and absence of severe inflammation. After dilation, nearly half of the patients had a clinical benefit without need for surgery after 10 months. On the basis of encouraging results of this first series, future studies will have to show general feasibility, safety and long term outcomes in larger cohorts.     

HETEROTOPIC GASTRIC MUCOSA IN MECKEL'S DIVERTICULUM INCIDENTALLY FOUND BY DOUBLE BALLOON ENTEROSCOPY

A 45‐year‐old Japanese man who had been suffering from intestinal‐type Behcet's disease was referred to Yamagata University Hospital for enteroscopic examination. Double balloon enteroscopy was performed via the anal route. We identified ulceration of the terminal ileum that was detected previously. In addition, we incidentally recognized a Meckel's diverticulum coexisting with a heterotopic mucosal island nearly 100 cm on the oral side from the ileocecal valve. Meckel's diverticulum did not accompany ulcers and there was no history of bleeding. The heterotopic mucosal island was confirmed as gastric mucosa from biopsy specimens. High‐resolution endoscopic features of heterotopic gastric mucosa in Meckel's diverticulum using a double balloon enteroscopy are considered informative images.     

Patient burden and patient preference: Comparing magnetic resonance enteroclysis,capsule endoscopy and balloon‐assisted enteroscopy

Background and Aim: We aimed to prospectively determine patient burden and patient preference for magnetic resonance enteroclysis, capsule endoscopy and balloon‐assisted enteroscopy in patients with suspected or known Crohn's disease (CD) or occult gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Methods: Consecutive consenting patients with CD or OGIB underwent magnetic resonance enteroclysis, capsule endoscopy and balloon‐assisted enteroscopy. Capsule endoscopy was only performed if magnetic resonance enteroclysis showed no high‐grade small bowel stenosis. Patient preference and burden was evaluated by means of standardized questionnaires at five moments in time. Results: From January 2007 until March 2009, 76 patients were included (M/F 31/45; mean age 46.9 years; range 20.0–78.4 years): 38 patients with OGIB and 38 with suspected or known CD. Seventeen patients did not undergo capsule endoscopy because of high‐grade stenosis. Ninety‐five percent (344/363) of the questionnaires were suitable for evaluation. Capsule endoscopy was significantly favored over magnetic resonance enteroclysis and balloon‐assisted enteroscopy with respect to bowel preparation, swallowing of the capsule (compared to insertion of the tube/scope), burden of the entire examination, duration and accordance with the pre‐study information. Capsule endoscopy and magnetic resonance enteroclysis were significantly preferred over balloon‐assisted enteroscopy for clarity of explanation of the examination, and magnetic resonance enteroclysis was significantly preferred over balloon‐assisted enteroscopy for bowel preparation, painfulness and burden of the entire examination. Balloon‐assisted enteroscopy was significantly favored over magnetic resonance enteroclysis for insertion of the scope and procedure duration. Pre‐ and post‐study the order of preference was capsule endoscopy, magnetic resonance enteroclysis and balloon‐assisted enteroscopy. Conclusion: Capsule endoscopy was preferred to magnetic resonance enteroclysis and balloon‐assisted enteroscopy; it also had the lowest burden. Magnetic resonance enteroclysis was preferred over balloon‐assisted enteroscopy for clarity of explanation of the examination, bowel preparation, painfulness and burden of the entire examination, and balloon‐assisted enteroscopy over magnetic resonance enteroclysis for scope insertion and study duration.     

SMALL BOWEL PSEUDOMELANOSIS AND ORAL IRON THERAPY

Small bowel pseudomelanosis is a rarely reported clinical entity characterized by brown pigmentation of small bowel mucosa. The authors describe two cases, both with iron deficiency anemia, one of an 81‐year‐old female patient submitted for capsule endoscopy that revealed a brown pigmentation of all small bowel mucosa and another of an 81‐year‐old male whose retrograde double‐balloon enteroscopy revealed a diffuse brown pattern of small bowel mucosa. Ileal biopsies confirmed intense iron deposition in the macrophages of the lamina propria. Both patients were on oral iron therapy and the second one had a previous double‐balloon enteroscopy, 2 years earlier, which revealed only ileal angiodysplasias. These two cases demonstrate the importance of two new endoscopic methods for diagnosis of small bowel pseudomelanosis, the rarity of such an entity and its close relation with oral iron therapy.     

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SMALL BOWEL DISEASES WITH A NEWLY DEVELOPED SINGLE BALLOON ENDOSCOPE

Background: Recent advances in capsule endoscopy (CE) and double balloon endoscopy (DBE) have enabled an endoscopic approach to small bowel diseases. However, CE is simply a diagnostic tool and DBE is fairly complicated to handle. Methods: We developed a single balloon endoscopy (SBE) in cooperation with Olympus Medical Systems. The single balloon enteroscope consists of an endoscope and a splinting tube. In this system, a balloon is attached to the splinting tube, but not to the scope itself. The single‐person insertion method was effective for SBE cases, but two persons were needed for DBE. The patients we examined had undergone upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy and were suspected of having small intestinal diseases. We examined a total of 30 cases (nine women, 21 men; range 19–78 years), and carried out a total of 48 examinations. Results: In fifteen cases, the cause of bleeding was diagnosed as either ulcer, angiodysplasia, Crohn's disease, inflammatory polyp, or metastatic cancer, but in eight cases, the cause was not identified. Four obstruction cases comprised ulcers, adhesion, and jejunal volvulus. For treatment, clippings were performed for bleeding in three patients, polypectomy for two, reversal of volvulus for one, and balloon dilation for ilial stenosis in one. The entire small intestine was observed in 71% of patients when the intention was to examine the whole bowel. No complications were encountered. Conclusions: The newly developed SBE is useful for diagnosis and treatment of small bowel diseases.     

Deep enteroscopy-indications,diagnostic yield and complications

Since its introduction in 2001 capsule endoscopy opened up the small bowel for diagnostic approaches followed by double balloon enteroscopy which enabled the endoscopic community to perform therapeutic interventions in the whole small intestine.In this review the scientific developments related to indications,diagnostic yield and complications of the last years between the competing devices double ballon enteroscopy,single balloon enteroscopy and spiral enteroscopy are illustrated.     

小肠肿瘤诊断:双气囊小肠镜与其他检查手段的对比研究

目的比较双气囊小肠镜与小肠稀钡灌注和胶囊内镜检查在小肠肿瘤诊断中的诊断率和准确率。方法对59例临床怀疑小肠肿瘤患者行双气囊小肠镜检查。其中有34例和17例患者分别同期行插管法小肠稀钡灌注或胶囊内镜检查。检查分别由专职医师独立操作并诊断，最后进行汇总比较。结果34例小肠稀钡灌注检查者中，19例诊断为小肠肿瘤或怀疑小肠肿瘤，诊断率为55．9％，最终经双气囊小肠镜确诊为12例，诊断准确率为63．2％（12／19例）；在15例小肠稀钡灌注阴性者中，双气囊小肠镜发现肿瘤3例。17例胶囊内镜检查者中，8例检查结果为小肠肿瘤或怀疑小肠肿瘤，诊断率为47．1％，最终经双气囊小肠镜确诊为4例，诊断准确率为4／8例；在9例胶囊内镜阴性者中，双气囊小肠镜发现小肠肿瘤2例。59例患者中，经一侧进镜检查后（经口或经肛）发现小肠肿瘤36例，完成双侧检查后发现肿瘤16例。7例患者在双侧检查后未发现任何病变。双气囊小肠镜对小肠肿瘤的检出率为88．1％，并经病理和临床随访确诊。上述三项检查中未见明显的与操作相关的并发症。结论双气囊小肠镜在小肠肿瘤诊断率及准确率方面明显优于小肠稀钡灌注和胶囊内镜检查。     

ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT OF LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL STRICTURES

The methods of endoscopic treatment to a stricture of colon and rectum, are balloon dilatation, stenting, and transanal tube decompression. Balloon dilatation is useful for the stricture with benign disease. It is simple and is considered to be the first choice by the postoperative stricture. To the stricture of Crohn's disease, the long‐term prognosis effect equivalent to an operation is shown, and it is the therapy that should be tried before an operation. Stenting should not be performed easily at the present time for benign stenosis because there are problems that must be solved. For malignant stricture, balloon dilatation is contraindication, and transanal tube decompression and stenting are useful to an improvement of decompression and a passage obstacle. Both are useful to postoperative complications, and the improvement of quality‐of‐life of the stenotic condition by carcinoma.     

Single balloon enteroscopy: Technical aspects and clinical applications

The small bowel has long been considered a black box for endoscopists because of its long length and the presence of multiple complex loop. Most of the small bowel is inaccessible by traditional endoscopic means. In addition, radiographic studies have significant limitations with regard to diagnostic yield, and surgery is an invasive alternative. This limitation was overcome through the development of balloon enteroscopy that becomes established throughout the world for diagnostic and therapeutic examinations of the small bowel. The single-balloon enteroscope (SBE) system (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) was introduced into the commercial market in 2007. Several study demonstrated its efficacy and safety. Early reports on the use of singleballoon enteroscopy have suggested a high diagnostic yield and similar therapeutic potential to that of the double-balloon endoscope. SBE is viable technique for in the management of small bowel disease. Technically, it is easy to perform, may be efficient, and in the literature data available, seems to provide high diagnostic and therapeutic yield.     

Prolonged avoidance of repeat surgery with endoscopic balloon dilatation of anastomotic strictures in Crohn's disease

Background and aimsThere is a high rate of stricturing post-operative recurrence in Crohn's disease (CD) particularly at sites of surgical anastomosis, and over 50% of these patients will require a repeat resection. Endoscopic dilatation of anastomotic strictures is an alternative to surgical resection in selected patients. We aimed to evaluate the safety and long term efficacy of endoscopic balloon dilatation of symptomatic anastomotic strictures in CD.MethodsRetrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained inflammatory bowel disease database of patients attending a single academic centre (n = 1244 patients with CD) who underwent dilatation.ResultsFifty-five dilatations were performed in 31 patients (mean age 43 ± SD 12, 47% female). Median follow‐up period was 46 months (IQR 14–62). Ninety percent of patients had successful initial dilatation and no complications occurred. Six (21%) avoided further dilatations or surgery in the follow-up period. Stricture recurrence was detected in 22 patients; 15 (54%) patients had repeat dilatations and seven (25%) went straight to surgery. Eight (28%) patients were managed with repeat dilatations of the stricture (median dilatations = 2 range 2–6) and seven (25%) required surgery despite repeat dilatations. Median time from first dilatation to repeat surgery was 14.5 months (IQR 3–28) and to repeat dilatation was 13.8 months (IQR 4–28). There was no difference in immunomodulator use, biologic use and smoking status between the groups requiring surgery versus dilatation only.ConclusionEndoscopic balloon dilatation of anastomotic strictures is safe and effective in providing symptomatic relief in CD patients. Forty-five percent of patients had a sustained response to single/serial balloon dilatation with avoidance of further surgical resection for a median interval of 46 months. Post-operative medical therapy and smoking status did not predict requirement for recurrent dilatation or surgery.     

Double balloon enteroscopy for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography after Roux-en-Y reconstruction: case series and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic access to the biliary system can be difficult in patients with surgically altered anatomy, such as a Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a relatively new procedure that enables access to the small bowel. DBE has recently been advocated as a method for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) in patients with surgical reconstructions, with the potential to perform diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. METHODS: In three patients with a hepaticojejunostomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction, the experiences using DBE to perform ERCP are described. The literature on DB-ERCP in patients with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction was reviewed. RESULTS: In all patients, the Roux limb was entered and a diagnostic cholangiography was carried out. In one patient, endoscopic therapy could be performed, consisting of balloon dilation of a stenotic biliodigestive anastomosis, repeated balloon dilation of biliary strictures and removal of bile casts. CONCLUSION: This series confirms recent data emerging from the literature that double balloon enteroscopy is a safe and feasible technique to obtain biliary access in patients with surgically altered anatomical configurations, such as those with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction. The diagnostic and therapeutic potential of DB-ERCP is great, and the utility of the procedure could be further improved if customised accessories become more widely available.     

Ileal polypoid lymphangiectasia bleeding diagnosed and treated by double balloon enteroscopy

Intestinal lymphangiectasia is a rare disease characterized by focal or diffuse dilated enteric lymphatics with impaired lymph drainage.It causes protein-losing enteropathy and may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding.Commonly,lymphangiectasia presents as whitish spots or specks.To our knowledge,small bowel bleeding resulting from polypoid intestinal lymphangiectasia has not been reported.Here,we report a rare case of active bleeding from the small bowel caused by polypoid lymphangiectasia with a review of the relevant literature.An 80-year-old woman was hospitalized for melena.Esophagogastroduodenoscopy could not identify the source of bleeding.Subsequent colonoscopy showed fresh bloody material gushing from the small bowel.An abdominal-pelvic contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan did not reveal any abnormal findings.Video capsule endoscopy showed evidence of active and recent bleeding in the ileum.To localize the bleeding site,we performed double balloon enteroscopy by the anal approach.A small,bleeding,polypoid lesion was found in the distal ileum and was successfully removed using endoscopic snare electrocautery.