Endoscopy and Crohn's Disease: Endoscopic Approach to the Pathogenesis of Crohn's Disease

Abstract: This review describes endoscopic and histopathological findings in Crohn's disease with reference to its pathogenesis. The number of patients with Crohn's disease has markedly and rapidly increased during the last 10 years in Japan. Minute lesions such as aphthoid ulcers as an early lesion in Crohn's disease were at first discussed endoscopically and histopathologically. Recent advances concerning the mechanism of how aphthoid ulcers may occur revealed that they are induced by mucosal ischemia due to vasculitis. Longitudinal ulcers and cobblestone appearance were observed only in advanced Crohn's disease. Finally, the etiology of Crohn's disease was reviewed from the viewpoint of infectious agents and immunological abnormalities which were clarified from the study of endoscopic biopsy specimens.     

Characteristics of Small Bowel Tumors Detected by Double Balloon Endoscopy

Background

A few reports suggest that the emergence of double balloon endoscopy (DBE) has likely changed the clinical picture of small bowel tumors (SBTs).

Aim

To further clarify the characteristics of SBTs detected by DBE.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted in 227 patients who had undergone DBE.

Results

The SBT group contained more symptomatic patients than the non-SBT group (90% vs. 49%, P < 0.0005) with a significantly higher rate of gastrointestinal symptoms at presentation (72% vs. 33%, P < 0.005). Twenty patients (8.8%) were eventually diagnosed with SBT, and their indications for DBE were obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 5), abdominal pain (n = 5), abdominal fullness (n = 5), vomiting (n = 2), and diarrhea (n = 1). Tumors were located in the jejunum in 14 patients (70%) and in the ileum in 6 (30%). A final histological diagnosis was assigned to all 20 patients: primary adenocarcinoma (n = 8, 40%), malignant lymphoma (n = 5, 25%), metastatic cancer (n = 4, 20%), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n = 1, 5%), carcinoid tumor (n = 1, 5%) and inflammatory fibroid polyp (n = 1, 5%). Stenosis or ulceration were the most frequently observed endoscopic findings (n = 13, 65%). All primary adenocarcinomas and three of four (75%) metastatic cancers showed stenosis or ulceration. Three of five (60%) malignant lymphomas showed multiple lymphomatous polyps. All patients but one underwent surgical resection or chemotherapy or both.

Conclusion

DBE is a safe and useful procedure that enables a precise diagnosis of SBTs.     

Endoscopic Balloon Dilation for Ulcer-induced Gastric Outlet Obstruction

Objective: To determine the safety and efficacy of endoscopic balloon dilation for ulcer-induced gastric outlet strictures. Methods: Review of the cumulative experience from two institutions involving 30 patients who underwent endoscopic balloon dilation for peptic ulcer-induced gastric outlet obstruction. Follow-up was by standardized interview at a mean of 15 months (range 4–28 months). Results: Symptoms occurred for an average of 6 months before dilation and included weight loss, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, early satiety, bloating, and anorexia. Gastric outlet strictures had a median diameter of 6 mm (range, 0–10 mm). Ten (33%) patients had active ulcers. Six-millimeter to 18-mm (median 15-mm) balloons were inflated a median of 2 times (range 1–4 times) for a median of 60 s (range 30–180 s). Fifty-one procedures (1.7/patient) were performed; 20 (67%) patients had one treatment and 10 (33%) had multiple treatments. Twenty-four (80%) patients achieved sustained symptom relief, 17 of 20 having a single procedure and 7 of 10 required multiple sessions. Dilation failed in 4 (13%) patients with long duodenal strictures. Two (6.7%) patients dilated to 18 mm suffered perforation. Both recovered uneventfully after surgery. Conclusions: Endoscopic balloon dilation is safe and effective for most patients with ulcer-induced gastric outlet obstruction.     

Endoscopic Balloon Dilation Lithotripsy for Difficult Bile Duct Stones

Background/Aim

Endoscopic treatment for removal of large or impacted bile duct stones is challenging, and may not be successful. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic balloon dilation lithotripsy (EBDL) as a means of treating difficult extrahepatic bile duct stones refractory to failed conventional endoscopic treatments.

Patients and Methods

The patients were included in the indication of EBDL only if stones were confirmed as brown-pigmented stones or recurrent. Balloon dilation was performed using a balloon dilation catheter in order to crush large and/or impacted stones at the common hepatic duct or common bile duct level in seven cases, and then fragmented stones were removed using a basket and/or an extraction balloon catheter.

Results

The median diameter of the balloons used for EBDL was 32.4 ± 10.5 mm (range, 12.4–52.1). Balloon dilation was performed for 60 s per session. The mean number of EBDL sessions required to crush stones was two (range, 1–5), the mean number of ERCP sessions required for complete stone removal was 2.4 ± 0.8 (range, 1–3), the overall procedure-related complication rate was 0 % (0/7), and the success rate was 100 % (7/7).

Conclusion

EBDL might be a safe and effective option for the treatment of large and impacted extrahepatic bile duct stones refractory to conventional endoscopic treatments.     

67例小肠克罗恩病的临床分析

背景：克罗恩病（CD）好发于末端回肠和回盲部,临床表现多种多样,但检查手段有限。目的：探讨小肠CD的临床特点和诊治情况。方法：回顾性分析2000年1月～2007年12月南京鼓楼医院收治的小肠CD患者的临床资料。结果：共纳入67例小肠CD患者,男女之比为4．15：1,诊断年龄13—79岁．其中20—29岁和50—59岁为两个发病高峰。临床症状主要表现为黑便或血便或脓血便43例（64．2％）、腹痛36例（53．7％）、贫血27例（40．3％）、腹泻26例（38．8％）。最常见的并发症为肠梗阻,穿孔少见。结肠镜下可见节段性病变、黏膜充血水肿、铺路石样改变等：胶囊内镜下表现为多发不规则溃疡、线样溃疡、阿弗他溃疡;手术病理活检示全壁性炎症、深裂隙状纵行溃疡、结节样肉芽肿。病变多位于末端回肠和（或）回盲部（49.3％）。接受胶囊内镜和结肠镜检查者经内科治疗后症状得到控制。14例患者因消化道出血、肠梗阻、穿孔而行手术治疗。结论：小肠CD的诊断较困难,可首选结肠镜检查。若无完全性肠梗阻可行胶囊内镜检查。与结肠镜和小肠造影检查相比．胶囊内镜对于早期小肠CD的诊断和患者病情的评估有一定优势,可推迟部分患者的第一次手术时间。     

Immunoproliferative Small Intestinal Disease Diagnosed by Double-balloon Endoscopy with Biopsy Sampling

We herein report an 80-year-old man diagnosed with immunoproliferative small intestine disease (IPSID) via small bowel endoscopy with a biopsy. He developed persistent diarrhea and subsequently presented with hypoproteinemia and moderate anemia. Transanal double-balloon endoscopy showed prominent villous edema in the middle and lower ileum, while a histological examination showed high lymphocyte/plasma cell infiltration in the mucosal layer. Furthermore, an immunostaining analysis showed that Cluster of differentiation (CD)3 and CD20 were partially positive, while CD138 was diffusely positive. Immunoglobulin A positivity was also observed. He was diagnosed with IPSID and received a nutritional agent and minocycline. After three months, the patients'' symptoms improved.     

Endoscopy-Guided Balloon Dilation of Benign Anastomotic Strictures after Radical Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Background/Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of endoscopic dilation for benign anastomotic stricture after radical gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients.

Methods

Gastric cancer patients who underwent endoscopic balloon dilation for benign anastomosis stricture after radical gastrectomy during a 6-year period were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

Twenty-one patients developed benign strictures at the site of anastomosis. The majority of strictures occurred within 1 year after surgery (95.2%). The median duration to stenosis after surgery was 1.70 months (range, 0.17 to 23.97 months). The success rate of the first endoscopic dilation was 61.9%. Between the restenosis group (n=8) and the no restenosis group (n=13), there were no significant differences in the body mass index (22.82 kg/m² vs 22.46 kg/m²), interval to symptom onset (73.9 days vs 109.3 days), interval to treatment (84.6 days vs 115.6 days), maximal balloon diameter (14.12 mm vs 15.62 mm), number of balloon dilation sessions (1.75 vs 1.31), location of gastric cancer or type of surgery. One patient required surgery because of stricture refractory to repeated dilation.

Conclusions

Endoscopic dilation is a highly effective treatment for benign anastomotic strictures after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer and should be considered a primary intervention prior to proceeding with surgical revision.     

Double Balloon Enteroscopy Detects Small Bowel Mass Lesions Missed by Capsule Endoscopy

BACKGROUND: Small bowel mass lesions (SBML) are a relatively common cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Their detection has been limited by the inability to endoscopically examine the entire small intestine. This has changed with the introduction of capsule endoscopy (CE) and double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) into clinical practice. STUDY AIM: To evaluate the detection of SBML by DBE and CE in patients with OGIB who were found to have SBML by DBE and underwent both procedures. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of all patients undergoing DBE for OGIB at seven North American tertiary centers was performed. Those patients who were found to have SBML as a cause of their OGIB were further analyzed. RESULTS: During an 18 month period, 183 patients underwent DBE for OGIB. A small bowel mass lesion was identified in 18 patients. Of these, 15 patients had prior CE. Capsule endoscopy identified the mass lesion in five patients; fresh luminal blood with no underlying lesion in seven patients, and non-specific erythema in three patients. Capsule endoscopy failed to identify all four cases of primary small bowel adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Double balloon enteroscopy detects small bowel mass lesions responsible for OGIB that are missed by CE. Additional endoscopic evaluation of the small bowel by DBE or intraoperative enteroscopy should be performed in patients with ongoing OGIB and negative or non-specific findings on CE.     

Through-the-Scope Balloon Dilation for Endoscopic Ultrasound Staging of Stenosing Esophageal Cancer

Dilation of malignant esophageal strictures often is required to complete staging by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). This study was designed to determine the successful dilation rate (ability to complete staging) and complication rate of through-the-scope (TTS) balloon dilation for malignant esophageal strictures during EUS. We retrospectively reviewed EUS reports for all cases of primary esophageal cancer staged at five centers between January 2002 and October 2004. All dilations were performed with TTS balloons. Among 272 endoscopic ultrasounds, dilation was required in 77 (28%) and was successful in 73 cases (95%). There was one esophageal perforation after dilation (1.3%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.2–7) and one esophageal perforation after EUS without dilation (0.5%; 95% CI, 0.1–2.8; P=0.48 by two-sided Fisher exact test). There were no other major complications. TTS balloon dilation is highly successful in permitting complete staging of obstructing tumors. The rate of complications after dilation with a TTS balloon dilator is low and similar to the baseline rate of EUS in this setting. Institutions Participating in the Study: Boston University Medical Center, University of Virginia, Oregon Health and Sciences University, University of Chicago, Veterans Administration Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts.     

Chronic Recurrent Esophageal Strictures Treated with Balloon Dilation in Children with Autosomal Recessive Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica

Two children (8- and 17-yr old) with autosomal recessive epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica and chronic esophageal strictures were treated with repeated balloon dilations. General anesthesia was by face mask adapted specifically for this procedure, with careful attention to avoid skin and mucus membrane damage. A balloon dilator positioned fluoroscopically over an angiographic guidewire was gently inflated until narrowings resolved. Dilations have been performed every 1–11 [4.3 ± 3.2 (mean ± SD)] months in the younger patient over the last 4.3 yr, and every 8–20 (14.5 ± 5.9) months in the older patient over the last 4.8 yr, without serious complications. Both patients were able to swallow normal foods following dilations. Repeated balloon dilations of esophageal strictures in patients with epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica can be done safely. Further studies are indicated to determine its effectiveness and appropriateness as an alternative to colonic interposition.     

Pneumatic Balloon Dilation Therapy Is as Effective as Esophagomyotomy for Achalasia

For many years different treatments have been used for achalasia. However, esophagomyotomy (ESM) and pneumatic balloon dilation (PBD) have been considered the treatments of choice. Despite new research, some controversies still exist. We compared patients who underwent open ESM (n=19) with those who underwent PBD (n=45). Data on age, gender, pre- and postprocedure symptoms, clinical manifestations at the time of research, clinical relief, type of surgery, and costs were collected via questionnaire. Open ESMs were performed by two expert surgeons, and PBDs were performed by one gastroenterologist. There was no significant difference in clinical symptoms and in patient satisfaction between the groups before and after the procedures except for chest pain. Clinical relief status (excellent, good, moderate, or poor) was comparable (26%, 42%, 15%, 15% for open ESM group and 40%, 20%, 24%, 15% for PBD group). Postprocedure complications were not significantly different between the two groups. Clinical rates of relapse for open ESM and PBD groups were 38.6% and 25%, respectively. There were no serious complications. There was no significant difference between the clinical outcomes of the two methods of achalasia treatment. Considering other important factors such as a shorter period of hospitalization, fewer sick days off, risk of general anesthesia, and cosmetic sequels, PBD is preferable for the majority of patients.     

胶囊内镜和双气囊内镜对小肠克罗恩病诊断价值的比较

克罗恩病（CD）是一种原因未明的慢性炎性肉芽肿性病变,可侵及全消化道各部位,约70％的病变累及小肠,诊断需联合其临床表现、内镜检查、组织病理学、影像学、实验室检生化查等。新型检查技术如胶囊内镜和双气囊内镜对评估小肠疾病具有重要作用。本文就胶囊内镜和双气囊内镜在小肠CD中的诊断率作一综述,以进一步明确两者的诊断价值。     

Small Intestinal Transit Time and Intraluminal pH in Ileocecal Resected Patients with Crohn's Disease

The pH and transit times of the gut areimportant for the delivery of active drug from severaltablets used in the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD).Many patients with CD undergo an ileocecal resection, which might influence small intestinal pH andtransit time. The effect of ileocecal resection on thesevariables has not previously been studied. IntraluminalpH and transit time were measured in nineileocecal-resected CD patients and 13 healthy volunteers usingpH-sensitive radiocapsules. Small intestinal transittime (SITT) was significantly shorter inileocecal-resected patients (5.2 hr, controls 8.0 hr).The pH levels of the small intestine were identical inpatients and controls, whereas cecal pH was 0.9 pH unitshigher in resected CD patients. The time spent with pHhigher than 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 was significantly shorter in patients than in controls. There wasno correlation between the SITT and the length ofresected ileum or between the SITT and the time elapsedsince the resection. We conclude that ileocecal resection decreases the SITT and the time withpH higher than 5.5-7.0. The study indicates that thisreduction of the SITT is mainly due to the resection ofthe ileocecal valve and is, to a certain extent, independent of the length of resected ileum. Anileocecal resection might therefore affect the deliveryof active drug from tablets with pH-dependentdelivery.