Evaluation and outcomes of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding(OGIB) is defined as recurrent or persistent bleeding or presence of iron deficiency anaemia after evaluation with a negative bidirectional endoscopy. OGIB accounts for 5% of gastrointestinal bleeding and presents a diagnostic challenge. Current modalities available for the investigation of OGIB include capsule endoscopy, balloon assisted enteroscopy, spiral enteroscopy and computed tomography enterography. These modalities overcome the limitations of previous techniques. Following a negative bidirectional endoscopy, capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy remain the cornerstone of investigation in OGIB given their high diagnostic yield. Longterm outcome data in patients with OGIB is limited, but is most promising for capsule endoscopy. This article reviews the current literature and provides an overview of the clinical evaluation of patients with OGIB, available diagnostic and therapeutic modalities and longterm clinical outcomes.     

不明原因消化道出血的诊断和处理

不明原因消化道出血(OGIB)的诊断和处理曾是内科医师和消化科医师面临的挑战。胶囊内镜和双气囊小肠镜检查的发展使OGIB的处理发生了根本的变革。本文讨论OGIB的病因、诊断检查手段和诊断处理流程。此外,对OGIB最常见的病因—血管发育不良采用联合激素、奥曲肽或沙利度胺等药物治疗也一并予以讨论。     

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: role of videocapsule and double-balloon enteroscopy

Capsule endoscopy (CE), which allows the non-invasive visualisation of mucosa throughout the entire small bowel, has revolutionised the exploration of small-bowel diseases, and particularly the evaluation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) after a negative initial evaluation, including gastroscopy and colonoscopy. CE has a high negative predictive value and a higher diagnostic yield than all other modalities, such as radiology (small-bowel X-rays or computed tomography scan) or push enteroscopy. CE may be the preferred initial diagnostic choice in OGIB because of its non-invasive quality and better tolerance. Double-balloon enteroscopy, also known as push-and-pull enteroscopy, has recently been developed. It has made it possible not only to explore the small bowel but also to carry out therapeutic interventions deep in the small bowel without the need for surgical laparotomy. This exploration should be considered as a second-line exploration for OGIB in patients with a positive finding on CE requiring endoscopic follow-up for histology or intervention, and in patients in whom suspicion of a small-bowel lesion is high despite a negative CE.     

Preoperative detection and localization of small bowel hemangioma: Two case reports

Among the various diagnostic modalities for small bowel hemangioma,video capsule endoscopy(VCE)and double-balloon enteroscopy( BE)can be recommended as part of the work-up in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding(OGIB). BE is superior to VCE in the accuracy of diagnosis and therapeutic potential,while in most cases total enteroscopy cannot be achieved through only the antegrade or retrograde BE procedures.As treatment for small bowel bleeding,especially spout bleeding,localization of the lesion for the decision of BE insertion facilitates early treatment,such as endoscopic hemostatic clipping,allowing patients to avoid useless transfusion and the worsening of their disease into life-threatening status.Applying endoscopic India ink marking prior to laparoscopic surgical resection is a particularly useful technique for more minimally invasive treatment.We report two cases of small bowel hemangioma found in examinations for OGIB that were treated with combination of laparoscopic and endoscopic modalities.     

Clinical application of video capsule endoscopy

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive imaging of the complete small bowel has become possible with the recently available video capsule endoscopy technique. The aim of this study was to review and assess the possibilities and limitations of the clinical application of video capsule endoscopy. METHODS: Literature review. RESULTS: Video capsule endoscopy is a new promising technique with good to excellent visualization of the mucosa of the small bowel. It has a high diagnostic yield in patients with occult gastrointestinal blood loss (OGIB) and Crohn disease (CD). Several other indications need further study. Compared to small-bowel X-ray and push enteroscopy, diagnostic yield appears to be superior. Video capsule endoscopy is very well tolerated by patients. Its most important limitation is the impossibility of taking biopsies and therapeutic interventions. CONCLUSION: Video capsule endoscopy is a promising new diagnostic tool for small-bowel disease.     

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.     

Diagnostic and therapeutic options in obscure gastrointestinal blood loss

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding is defined as an intermittent or chronic loss of blood manifested by iron deficiency anemia or overt bleeding the source of which has not been identified in upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, and barium studies. The diagnostic work-up includes repeat upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, push enteroscopy, radionuclide bleeding scan, angiography, and exploratory laparotomy with intra-operative enteroscopy. Recent publications regarding these and new diagnostic modalities, as well as advances in therapy, including combination hormonal therapy, are reviewed.     

Double-balloon enteroscopy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: A single center experience in China

AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic value of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). METHODS: The data about 75 OGIB patients who underwent DBE in January 2007-June 2009 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: DBE was successfully performed in all 75 patients without complication. Of the 75 patients, 44 (58.7%) had positive DBE findings, 22 had negative DBE findings but had potential bleeding at surgery and capsule endoscopy, etc . These 66 patients were fi...     

A meta-analysis of the yield of capsule endoscopy compared to other diagnostic modalities in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

OBJECTIVES: Due to its superior ability to examine the entire small bowel mucosa, capsule endoscopy (CE) has broadened the diagnostic evaluation of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Published studies have revealed a numerically superior performance of CE in determining a source of OGIB compared with other modalities, but due to small sample sizes, the overall magnitude of benefit is unknown. Additionally, the types of lesions more likely to be found by CE versus alternate modalities are also unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield of small bowel findings with CE in patients with OGIB compared to other modalities using meta-analysis. METHODS: We performed a recursive literature search of prospective studies comparing the yield of CE to other modalities in patients with OGIB. Data on yield and types of lesions identified among various modalities were extracted, pooled, and analyzed. Incremental yield (IY) (yield of CE-yield of comparative modality) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of CE over comparative modalities were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies (n = 396) compared the yield of CE with push enteroscopy for OGIB. The yield for CE and push enteroscopy was 63% and 28%, respectively (IY = 35%, p < 0.00001, 95% CI = 26-43%) and for clinically significant findings (n = 376) was 56% and 26%, respectively (IY = 30%, p < 0.00001, 95% CI = 21-38%). Three studies (n = 88) compared the yield of CE to small bowel barium radiography. The yield for CE and small bowel barium radiography for any finding was 67% and 8%, respectively (IY = 59%, p < 0.00001, 95% CI = 48-70%) and for clinically significant findings was 42% and 6%, respectively (IY = 36%, p < 0.00001, 95% CI = 25-48%). Number needed to test (NNT) to yield one additional clinically significant finding with CE over either modality was 3 (95% CI = 2-4). One study each compared the yield of significant findings on CE to intraoperative enteroscopy (n = 42, IY = 0%, p= 1.0, 95% CI =-16% to 16%), computed tomography enteroclysis (n = 8, IY = 38%, p= 0.08, 95% CI =-4% to 79%), mesenteric angiogram (n = 17, IY =-6%, p= 0.73, 95% CI =-39% to 28%), and small bowel magnetic resonance imaging (n = 14, IY = 36%, p= 0.007, 95% CI = 10-62%). Ten of the 14 trials comparing CE with push enteroscopy classified the types of lesions found on examination. CE had a 36% yield for vascular lesions versus 20% for push enteroscopy, with an IY of 16% (p < 0.00001, 95% CI = 9-23%). Inflammatory lesions were also found more often in CE (11%) than in push enteroscopy (2%), with an IY of 9% (p= 0.0001, 95% CI = 5-13%). There was no significant difference in the yield of tumors or "other" findings between CE and push enteroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: CE is superior to push enteroscopy and small bowel barium radiography for diagnosing clinically significant small bowel pathology in patients with OGIB. In study populations, the IY of CE over push enteroscopy and small bowel barium radiography for clinically significant findings is >or=30% with an NNT of 3, primarily due to visualization of additional vascular and inflammatory lesions by CE.     

Diagnostic yield and therapeutic impact of double-balloon enteroscopy in a large cohort of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

OBJECTIVES: Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a novel endoscopic technique developed to investigate small bowel disease. There are limited available data on its impact in the diagnosis and management of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and therapeutic impact of DBE in the management of patients with OGIB. METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of patients referred to our hospital from December 2003 to January 2005 for the investigation of overt or occult OGIB who underwent DBE after negative upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Demographic, clinical, procedural, and outcome data were collected for analysis. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-two patients (73 women and 79 men) were studied, with a mean age of 48.2 yr. Seventeen patients presented with occult OGIB while 135 patients had overt OGIB. A total of 191 DBEs was performed. Antegrade and retrograde approaches were performed in 60 and 53 patients, respectively, and 39 patients had a combination of both routes. DBE demonstrated a potential bleeding site in 115 (75.7%) patients (102 overt, 13 occult). The more common abnormalities detected were small bowel tumors (39.1%) and angioectasia (30.4%). DBE altered management in 83.5% of patients with positive findings. Follow-up was obtained on 119 patients (mean 16 months, range 8-23 months). Of the 95 patients with follow-up and a positive DBE finding, 85 (89%) had no further rebleeding. The procedure was well tolerated with 23 patients (15.1%) experiencing mild self-limited bleeding during the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: DBE appears to have a high diagnostic yield and therapeutic impact in patients with OGIB with previously negative upper endoscopy and colonoscopy.     

胶囊内镜在小肠疾病中的应用进展

胶囊内镜（CE）技术发展迅速,已成为一线小肠无创检查技术之一,目前已广泛用于不明原因消化道出血（OGIB）、炎症性肠病、小肠肿瘤、乳糜泻和腹痛等的诊断,其与双气囊小肠镜（DBE）联合应用可提高小肠疾病的诊疗水平。本文就CE在小肠疾病中的应用进展作一综述。     

Continuing challenges in the diagnosis and management of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

The diagnosis and management of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding(OGIB) have changed dramatically since the introduction of video capsule endoscopy(VCE) followed by deep enteroscopy and other imaging technologies in the last decade. Significant advances have been made, yet there remains room for improvement in our diagnostic yield and treatment capabilities for recurrent OGIB. In this review, we will summarize the latest technologies for the diagnosis of OGIB, limitations of VCE, technological enhancement in VCE, and different management options for OGIB.     

Investigation of the small bowel in gastrointestinal bleeding--enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy

The last frontier in luminal endoscopy has been conquered. Bleeding lesions in the small intestine can present a frustrating clinical problem, but recent advances have made investigating the small bowel easier and less invasive. Capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy are two new technologies that promise to lower the barrier to evaluation of the entire small intestine. Recent studies show that capsule endoscopy improves outcomes in patients who have OGIB. Although outcome studies regarding double balloon enteroscopy have not been performed, the opportunity to treat lesions throughout the small bowel without resorting to surgery is a tremendous advance. These improvements suggest that the corner may have been turned in the diagnosis and management of small bowel bleeding. Perhaps to the next generation of gastroenterologists, small bowel bleeding will not be obscure.     

Double balloon enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: an updated meta-analysis

Background and Aim: Uncertainty remains about the best test to evaluate patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Previous meta‐analyses demonstrated similar diagnostic yields with capsule endoscopy (CE) and double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) but relied primarily on data from abstracts and were not limited to bleeding patients. Many studies have since been published. Therefore, we performed a new meta‐analysis comparing CE and DBE focused specifically on OGIB. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed of comparative studies using both CE and DBE in patients with OGIB. Data were extracted and analyzed to determine the weighted pooled diagnostic yields of each method and the odds ratio for the successful localization of a bleeding source. Results: Ten eligible studies were identified. The pooled diagnostic yield for CE was 62% (95% confidence interval [CI] 47.3–76.1) and for DBE was 56% (95% CI 48.9–62.1), with an odds ratio for CE compared with DBE of 1.39 (95% CI 0.88–2.20; P = 0.16). Subgroup analysis demonstrated the yield for DBE performed after a previously positive CE was 75.0% (95% CI 60.1–90.0), with the odds ratio for successful diagnosis with DBE after a positive CE compared with DBE in all patients of 1.79 (95% CI 1.09–2.96; P = 0.02). In contrast, the yield for DBE after a previously negative CE was only 27.5% (95% CI 16.7–37.8). Conclusions: Capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy provide similar diagnostic yields in patients with OGIB. However, the diagnostic yield of DBE is significantly higher when performed in patients with a positive CE.     

胶囊内镜对不明原因消化道出血诊断价值的评估

背景：对于不明原因消化道出血（OGIB），胶囊内镜是一种有价值的诊断方法。但迄今为止，该技术在OGIB诊断中应用的研究多限于小样本病例。目的：评价胶囊内镜对OGIB的诊断价值，确定其敏感性，特异性，阳性，阴性预测值和总诊断率。方法：2002年5月-2005年1月，对连续选取的91例OGIB患者行胶囊内镜检查94次，对胶囊排出时间，再检查，治疗，再出血，依从性和并发症等情况进行随访观察。结果：胶囊内镜检查的阳性率为74.7%，疑诊率为11.0%，阴性率为14.3%。其诊断OGIB的敏感性，特异性以及阳性，阴性预测值分别为94.6%、88.9%和80.0%，总诊断率为93.8%。检查过程中仅1例（1.1%）患者发生胶囊滞留，后经手术取出并证实为克罗恩病所致的肠腔狭窄。结论：胶囊内镜对于OGIB是一种有效而安全的检查手段，迟早行胶囊内镜检查可使患者早日明确诊断并得到及时治疗，从而改善预后。     

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.     

Diagnostic yield of deep enteroscopy techniques for small-bowel bleeding and tumors

Endoscopic evaluation and management with deep enteroscopy techniques have largely replaced the role of intraoperative enteroscopy in the management of small-bowel (SB) disorders. While capsule endoscopy (CE) enables visualization of the entire SB, therapeutic deep enteroscopy techniques (balloon-assisted enteroscopy and spiral enteroscopy) facilitate diagnostic and therapeutic management deep within the SB. CE is currently recommended as the third test of choice in the evaluation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding after a negative bidirectional endoscopy. The test also has a role in the diagnosis of SB tumors and surveillance of familial polyposis syndromes. Therapeutic deep enteroscopy techniques are mainly used for evaluation and management of CE findings, but they may also have a role in patients with a negative CE but high clinical suspicion for an SB disorder. Because preliminary data suggest a comparable diagnostic and therapeutic yield with double-balloon, single-balloon, and spiral enteroscopy, selection of the enteroscope should be based on availability and the endoscopist's experience with the technique.     

Differentiation of Crohn's disease from intestinal tuberculosis in India in 2010

Differentiating intestinal tuberculosis from Crohn's disease (CD) is an important clinical challenge of considerable therapeutic significance. The problem is of greatest magnitude in countries where tuberculosis continues to be highly prevalent, and where the incidence of CD is increasing. The final clinical diagnosis is based on a combination of the clinical history with endoscopic studies, culture and polymerase chain reaction for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, biopsy pathology, radiological investigations and response to therapy. In a subset of patients, surgery is required and intraoperative findings with pathological study of the resected bowel provide a definitive diagnosis. Awareness of the parameters useful in distinguishing these two disorders in each of the different diagnostic modalities is crucial to accurate decision making. Newer techniques, such as capsule endoscopy, small bowel enteroscopy and immunological assays for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, have a role to play in the differentiation of intestinal tuberculosis and CD. This review presents currently available evidence regarding the usefulness and limitations of all these different modalities available for the evaluation of these two disorders.     

Clinical outcomes after double-balloon enteroscopy in patients with obscure GI bleeding and a positive capsule endoscopy

BACKGROUND: Obscure GI bleeding (OGIB) accounts for about 5% of all patients with GI bleeding. There are limited data on double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) after a positive finding on capsule endoscopy (CE) in this setting. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical outcomes after DBE therapy. DESIGN: Prospective single-center cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral university hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Recurrent bleeding and blood transfusion requirements. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study of 60 consecutive patients with OGIB was conducted between July 2004 and March 2006. Patients underwent CE before DBE to target the lesion for either further diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic intervention. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) duration of follow-up was 10.0 +/- 5.2 months. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age was 62 +/- 18 years, with 31 men. A total of 74 DBE procedures were performed. An abnormality was seen by DBE in 45 patients (75%). In 12 patients (20%), a diagnosis was clarified or a new diagnosis was made. Therapy at DBE was performed in 34 patients (57%): 30 diathermies and 4 polypectomies. Endoscopic tattooing for targeted surgical removal was made in 3 additional patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified previous blood transfusion (odds ratio 10.5, 95% confidence interval 3.1-35; P < .001) to be the only independent predictor that required endoscopic therapy at DBE. Forty-eight patients (80%) had no further bleeding, and 46 patients (77%) had a normal Hb. Blood transfusion requirements fell from 34 patients to 10, P < .001. One patient had a perforation after therapeutic diathermy. LIMITATIONS: Nonrandomized study. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with OGIB and a positive finding on CE, DBE provided a safe and ambulatory method to achieve an excellent clinical outcome with significant reductions in recurrent bleeding and blood-transfusion requirements.     

Randomized controlled trial comparing outcomes of video capsule endoscopy with push enteroscopy in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND:

Optimal management of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate diagnostic yields and downstream clinical outcomes comparing video capsule endoscopy (VCE) with push enteroscopy (PE).

METHODS:

Patients with OGIB and negative esophagogastroduodenoscopies and colonoscopies were randomly assigned to VCE or PE and followed for 12 months. End points included diagnostic yield, acute or chronic bleeding, health resource utilization and crossovers.

RESULTS:

Data from 79 patients were analyzed (VCE n=40; PE n=39; 82.3% overt OGIB). VCE had greater diagnostic yield (72.5% versus 48.7%; P<0.05), especially in the distal small bowel (58% versus 13%; P<0.01). More VCE-identified lesions were rated possible or certain causes of bleeding (79.3% versus 35.0%; P<0.05). During follow-up, there were no differences in the rates of ongoing bleeding (acute [40.0% versus 38.5%; P not significant], chronic [32.5% versus 45.6%; P not significant]), nor in health resource utilization. Fewer VCE-first patients crossed over due to ongoing bleeding (22.5% versus 48.7%; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

A VCE-first approach had a significant diagnostic advantage over PE-first in patients with OGIB, especially with regard to detecting small bowel lesions, affecting clinical certainty and subsequent further small bowel investigations, with no subsequent differences in bleeding or resource utilization outcomes in follow-up. These findings question the clinical relevance of many of the discovered endoscopic lesions or the ability to treat most of these effectively over time. Improved prognostication of both patient characteristics and endoscopic lesion appearance with regard to bleeding behaviour, coupled with the impact of therapeutic deep enteroscopy, is now required using adapted, high-quality study methodologies.