Dilation of a severe bilioenteric or pancreatoenteric anastomotic stricture using a Soehendra Stent Retriever

Bilioenteric or pancreatoenteric anastomotic stric-tures often occur after surgery for a pancreaticobiliary disorder. Therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholan-giopancreatography using balloon enteroscopy has been shown to be feasible and effective in patients with such strictures. However, when a benign anas-tomotic stricture is severe, a dilation catheter cannot pass through the stricture despite successful insertion of the guidewire. We report on the usefulness of the Soehendra Stent Retriever over a guidewire for dilating a severe bilioenteric or pancreatoenteric anastomotic stricture under short double-balloon enteroscopy, in two patients with surgically altered anatomies.     

Diagnostic and therapeutic impact of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in a series of 100 patients with suspected small bowel diseases

BACKGROUND: Double-balloon enteroscopy is a newly developed endoscopic method allowing non-surgical full-length exploration of the small bowel, biopsies sample and endoscopic treatment of previously inaccessible lesions. AIM: To prospectively assess the diagnostic and therapeutical impact of double-balloon enteroscopy in patients with suspected or documented small bowel disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients referring to our centre for suspected small bowel disease underwent double-balloon enteroscopy. Starting insertion route (anal or oral) of double-balloon enteroscopy was chosen according to the estimated location of the suspected lesions basing on the clinical presentation and on the findings, when available, of previous endoscopic or radiological investigations. Major indications for the procedures were acute recurrent or chronic mid-gastrointestinal bleeding (n=71), suspected gastrointestinal tumours (n=10), suspected Crohn's disease (n=6), chronic abdominal pain and/or chronic diarrhoea (n=8), refractory celiac disease (n=5). RESULTS: One hundred and eighteen double-balloon enteroscopy procedures were carried out. Oral and anal route double-balloon enteroscopies were performed in 54 and 28 patients, respectively, while 18 patients underwent a combination of both approaches. Overall diagnostic yield of double-balloon enteroscopy resulted 69%. Most common pathological findings included angiodysplasias (n=39), ulcerations and erosions of various aetiologies (n=21), tumours (n=7) and ileal stenosis in patients with Crohn's disease suspicion (n=2). In the 65% of the patients examined, double-balloon enteroscopy findings influenced the subsequent clinical management (endoscopic, medical or surgical treatment). No major complications related to the procedure occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Our prospective analysis shows that double-balloon enteroscopy is a useful, safe and well-tolerated new method with a high diagnostic and therapeutic impact for the management of suspected or documented small bowel diseases.     

Clinical outcomes of enteroscopy using the double-balloon method for strictures of the small intestine

AIM:To evaluate the clinical outcome of enteroscopy, using the double-balloon method, focusing on the involvement of neoplasms in strictures of the small intestine. METHODS: Enteroscopy, using the double-balloon method, was performed between December 1999 and December 2002 at Jichi Medical School Hospital, 3apan and strictures of the small intestine were found in 17 out of 62 patients. These 17 consecutive patients were subjected to analysis. RESULTS: The double-balloon enteroscopy contributed to the diagnosis of small intestinal neoplasms found in 3 out of 17 patients by direct observation of the strictures as well as biopsy sampling. Surgical procedures were chosen for these three patients, while balloon dilation was chosen for the strictures in four patients diagnosed with inflammation without involvement of neoplasm. CONCLUSION: Double-balloon enteroscopy is a useful method for the diagnosis and treatment of strictures in the small bowel.     

双气囊小肠镜鉴别诊断克罗恩病与小肠结核的价值

目的: 探讨双气囊小肠镜在克罗恩病与小肠结核鉴别诊断中的价值.方法:对38例临床怀疑小肠克罗恩病、小肠结核的患者进行小肠镜检查. 内镜诊断与病理和临床随访相结合, 评价双气囊小肠镜在两种疾病鉴别诊断中的应用价值.结果: 在38例患者中, 经病理和临床随访确诊克罗恩病18例, 小肠结核20例. 经双气囊小肠镜检查诊断为小肠克罗恩病14例, 检出率36.8%(14/38), 符合率77.8%(14/18);小肠结核为18例检出率47.4%(18/38), 符合率90.0%(18/20).结论:双气囊小肠镜是小肠克罗恩病与小肠结核鉴别诊断较为理想的方法, 并能对病变范围和严重程度作出正确的判断.     

Clinical outcomes of double-balloon endoscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of small-intestinal diseases.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: A specialized system for a new method for enteroscopy, the double-balloon method, was developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of this endoscopic system for small-intestinal disorders. METHODS: The double-balloon endoscopy system was used to perform 178 enteroscopies (89 by the anterograde approach and 89 by the retrograde approach) in 123 patients. The system was assessed on the basis of the rates of success in jejunal and ileal insertion and the entire examination of the small intestine, diagnostic yields, ability to perform treatment, and complications. RESULTS: Insertion of the endoscope beyond the ligament of Treitz or ileocecal valve was possible in all 178 procedures. It was possible to observe approximately one half to two thirds of the entire small intestine by each approach, and observation of the entire small intestine was possible in 24 (86%) of 28 trials. The source of bleeding was identified in 50 (76%) of 66 patients with GI bleeding, scrutiny of strictures was possible in 23 patients, and a tumor was examined endoscopically in 17 patients. Two complications (1.1%) occurred. Endoscopic therapies in the small intestine including hemostasis (12 cases), polypectomy (1 case), endoscopic mucosal resection (1 case), balloon dilation (6 cases), and stent placement (2 cases) were performed successfully. CONCLUSIONS: Double-balloon endoscopy permits the exploration of the small intestine with a high success rate of total enteroscopy. The procedure is safe and useful, and it provides high diagnostic yields and therapeutic capabilities.     

双气囊小肠镜对小肠出血的诊断价值

目的探讨双气囊小肠镜对小肠出血的诊断价值及安全性。方法对2007年1月-2008年12月我院经常规检查怀疑为小肠出血的56例患者行双气囊小肠镜检查,分别接受经口或经肛双气囊小肠镜检查。主要分析检查时间、内镜插入深度、确诊情况和并发症发生率。结果所有患者无严重并发症,操作时间为35-150 min,平均（76±22）min;平均插入小肠长度经口和经肛分别为（254±126）cm和（182±103）cm。小肠病变中阳性发现46例（82.1%）,主要包括血管畸形、小肠溃疡、克罗恩病、慢性非特异性炎症、肿瘤、息肉及憩室等。结论双气囊小肠镜检查安全有效,为小肠出血疾病的诊断提供了新的手段。     

Double-balloon enteroscopy for retrieving retained small-bowel video capsule endoscopes: a systematic review

Abstract

Background and aim: Capsule retention is the most common adverse event associated with video capsule endoscopy. The use of double-balloon enteroscopy-assisted capsule endoscope retrieval has been increasingly reported in recent years. However, evidence is limited regarding its success rate, associated factors, and subsequent clinical outcomes.

Methods: A systematic review of relevant studies published before January 2019 was performed. Successful retrieval rate and associated factors, rate of endoscopic balloon dilation, and outcomes after double-balloon enteroscopy were summarized and pooled.

Results: Within 154 associated original articles, 12 including 150 cases of capsule retrieval by double-balloon enteroscopy were included. The estimated pooled successful retrieval rate was 86.5% (95% confidence interval, 75.6–95.1%). Anterograde approach and capsules retained in the jejunum or trapped by malignant strictures were associated with a higher successful retrieval rate than the retrograde approach (62/83 [74.7%] vs. 10/38 [26.3%], p?<?.001) and capsules retained in the ileum (41/41 [100.0%] vs. 43/58 [74.1%], p?<?.001) or trapped by benign strictures (21/21 [100.0%] vs. 65/83 [78.3%], p?=?.043). Endoscopic balloon dilation was performed in 38.8% (95% confidence interval, 22.3–56.3%) of patients with benign strictures. Two perforations (1.3%) were reported as severe adverse events after double-balloon enteroscopy. A significantly lower surgery rate was found among cases with successful video capsule removal compared with unsuccessful cases (7.2% vs. 38.5%, p?=?.002).

Conclusions: Double-balloon enteroscopy is feasible and safe for removing retained video capsule endoscopes, and its use could decrease the need for surgery in patients with benign strictures and facilitate subsequent surgery in patients with malignant strictures.     

Double-balloon enteroscopy (push-and-pull enteroscopy) of the small bowel: feasibility and diagnostic and therapeutic yield in patients with suspected small bowel disease

BACKGROUND: Double-balloon enteroscopy (push-and-pull enteroscopy) is a new method that allows complete visualization, biopsy, and treatment in the small bowel. This study evaluated the feasibility and the diagnostic and the therapeutic yield of double-balloon enteroscopy (push-and-pull enteroscopy) in comparison with current imaging methods. METHODS: Between March 2003 and November 2004, 248 consecutive double-balloon enteroscopies (push-and-pull enteroscopies) were performed in a prospective study in 137 patients with suspected small-bowel disease (60 women, 77 men; mean age 56.6 +/- 17.8 years), most with chronic GI bleeding (66%). The examinations were carried out after negative evaluations with other methods or to allow biopsy or treatment in patients with known small-bowel findings. RESULTS: There were no relevant technical problems or severe complications. On average, 240 +/- 100 cm of the small bowel was visualized by using the oral route and 140 +/- 90 cm was visualized by using the anal route. The investigation time averaged 73.5 +/- 25 minutes. The overall diagnostic yield was 80% (109/137 patients). The main diagnosis was angiodysplasia (40/109; 37%); erosions and ulcerations of various etiologies were found in 27% (29/109). Polyps and tumors were identified, including malignancy, in 25% (27/109). Other findings were detected in a further 11%. No relevant pathology was found in 20%. Subsequent treatment was influenced by the results in 104 patients (76%): endoscopic therapy in 57 (41.5%), medical treatment in 23 (17%), and surgery in 24 (17.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Double-balloon enteroscopy (push-and-pull enteroscopy) is safe and easily conducted. Visualization and tissue sampling are possible in the entire small bowel by using the oral and anal approaches, and treatment is possible in the same way as in standard endoscopy, avoiding open surgery. If further prospective studies confirm its value, double-balloon enteroscopy (push-and-pull enteroscopy) may become a standard method of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy in the small bowel.     

Novel findings of capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy in a case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare disease with unknown cause. It is characterized by marked eosinophilic infiltration in the gastrointestinal tract. There are few reports that include detailed endoscopic findings of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in the small intestine. A 48-year-old man complaining of abdominal pain was admitted to our hospital. A complete blood count showed eosinophilia, and ascites showed eosinophilia. Abdominal computed tomography indicated dilation, wall thickening of the small intestine, and ascites. Capsule endoscopy revealed stenosis, dilation, edematous mucosa, and aperistalsis in the upper jejunum, together with circumferential ulcerated lesions and ulcer scars in the ileum. Double-balloon enteroscopy revealed a 10-cm segmental mucosal edema and stenosis in the ileum. In one segment, there were several circumferential ulcerated lesions. These lesions included both small round ulcers and large ulcers with redness and mucosal edema. Histological examination revealed infiltration of eosinophils into biopsy specimens of the ileum. The patient was diagnosed with eosinophilic gastroenteritis. The patient recovered after rehydration therapy. After 9 months, capsule endoscopy revealed no ulcers or edema. In this report, we describe the findings of capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy in a case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis.     

Push-and-pull enteroscopy using the double-balloon technique (double-balloon enteroscopy) for the diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum in adult patients with GI bleeding of obscure origin

BACKGROUND: Meckel's diverticulum (MD) occurs in 2-3% of the population. Although the clinical, histopathologic, and radiologic features of the complications of MD are well known, the diagnosis may be difficult before surgery. CASE REPORT: Three patients (age 22-34 yr, two women) presenting with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding of obscure origin underwent multiple endoscopic and radiologic tests including capsule endoscopy and Tc-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy before push-and-pull enteroscopy using a double-balloon technique (double-balloon enteroscopy). Double-balloon enteroscopy was performed in all three patients using oral and anal approaches to evaluate the entire intestine. In one case, MD was detected using the oral route; the diagnosis was confirmed using the anal approach. In two patients, the lumen of MD was disclosed using the anal route. No procedure-related complications occurred. Push-and-pull enteroscopy was the only nonsurgical procedure that provided a precise diagnosis. All patients underwent surgical resection of the diverticulum. In one case, ectopic gastric tissue was found histologically. No further bleeding occurred during follow-up (6-9 months). CONCLUSIONS: Keeping the low sensitivity of Tc-99m scintigraphy in the adult population in mind, double-balloon enteroscopy might be the modality of choice in young adult patients with acute recurrent GI bleeding of obscure origin and a suspected diagnosis of MD.     

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.     

The Outcome Assessment of Double-Balloon Enteroscopy for Diagnosing and Managing Patients with Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Diagnosing and treating patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding is clinically challenging. Most lesions responsible for the origin of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding are located in the small bowel. Double-balloon enteroscopy is a novel method for exploring the small intestine and has significant therapeutic potential. This study evaluated the value of double-balloon enteroscopy in diagnosing and managing obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. From October 2003 to January 2006, a total of 20 patients (6 men, 14 women; mean age, 55.2 years old) with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (18 obscure overt bleeding, 2 obscure occult bleeding) were investigated by double-balloon enteroscopy. A total of 29 procedures (15 via oral approach and 14 via rectal approach) were performed. The diagnostic yield, endoscopic therapeutic procedures, complications, and outcome were then assessed. Small bowel lesions potentially responsible for the bleeding were identified in 15 (75%) of 20 patients, including 9 angiodysplasias, 2 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), 2 ulcers, 1 jejunal granulation polyp, and 1 Peutz-Jeghers polyposis. Endoscopic treatments including heater probe coagulation, polypectomy, and endoscopic mucosal resection were performed in 11 patients. Two patients with GISTs received surgical intervention. Two patients with angiodysplasias that endoscopic treatment failed underwent laparoscopic resections following tattooing. There were no complications and the procedures were tolerated well. Among the 15 patients who had a lesion identified with subsequent treatment, rebleeding occurred in 3 (20%) patients with angiodysplasias. Of the five patients in whom no definite lesion was detected, rebleeding developed in four (80%). For patients with an identified lesion that was further treated, the rebleeding rate was lower than for those with “persistent” obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (P=0.031). We conclude that double-balloon enteroscopy offers a safe and effective method for diagnosing and managing patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.     

Peutz-Jeghers综合征小肠息肉的双气囊小肠镜治疗

双气囊小肠镜作为一种新的检查和治疗设备,使针对全小肠的直视检查和治疗干预成为可能。目的：探讨双气囊小肠镜治疗Peutz—Jeghers综合征（PJS）患者小肠息肉的可行性和安全性。方法：回顾性分析解放军空军总医院2004年4月～2009年5月48例PJS患者的双气囊小肠镜检查／治疗情况。结果：48例PJS患者共接受102例次双气囊小肠镜检查（经肛38例次,经口64例次）,行内镜下小肠息肉圈套切除术90例次,切除小肠息肉876枚,其中直径〉50mm的巨大息肉43枚。内镜检查／治疗前52例次有明显临床症状（不完全性肠梗阻35例次,腹痛和腹部不适11例次,消化道出血6例次）,其中45例次（86．5％）经治疗后症状消失或明显缓解。发生较严重内镜治疗并发症5例,其中小肠穿孔2例,消化道出血3例。结论：双气囊小肠镜能安全、有效地治疗PJS患者的小肠多发息肉,在一定程度上可替代外科手术治疗。     

Double-balloon enteroscopy reliably directs surgical intervention for patients with small intestinal bleeding

AIM： To evaluate preoperative double-balloon enteroscopy for determining bleeding lesions of small intestine, thus directing selective surgical intervention. METHODS： We retrospectively reviewed 56 patients who underwent double-balloon enteroscopy to localize intestinal bleeding prior to surgical intervention, and compared enteroscopic findings with those of intraoperation to determine the accuracy of enteroscopy in identifying and localizing the sites of small intestinal bleeding. RESULTS： Double-balloon enteroscopy was performed in all 56 patients in a 30-mo period. A possible site of blood loss was identified in 54 （96%） patients. Enteroscopy provided accurate localization of the bleeding in 53 （95%） of 56 patients, but failed to disclose the cause of bleeding in 4 （7%）. There was one case with negative intraoperative finding （2%）. Resection of the affected bowel was carried out except one patient who experienced rebleeding after operation. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor （GIST） was most frequently diagnosed （55%）. CONCLUSION： Double-balloon enteroscopy is a safe, reliable modality for determining bleeding lesion of small intestine. This technique can be used to direct selective surgical intervention.     

Double-balloon enteroscopy: a descriptive study of 50 explorations.

AIM: To evaluate the utility of double-balloon enteroscopy for small-bowel disease. DESIGN: A prospective study of 50 consecutive enteroscopies performed from December 2004 to July 2005 to analyze diagnoses and treatments. PATIENTS: 44 patients (33 had undergone a previous capsule endoscopy) with indications for obscure digestive hemorrhage, angiodysplasia, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, ulcer, suspected Crohn's disease, tumors, and refractory celiac disease. RESULTS: We carried out enteroscopy studies in 44 patients by the oral route and, in 6 additional patients, by both the oral and anal routes. We reached the ileon with the oral route in all cases but one (jejunal stenosis), and in 4 cases out of 7 with the anal route, with an average duration of 73 minutes. We found angiodysplasia in 19 cases, as well as NSAID-related enteropathy, Crohn's disease, diverticulosis, and Waldenstr?m's disease. We performed biopsies in 31% of cases with diagnoses of adenocarcinoma, lymphangiectasia secondary to tumor in celiac disease, and Whipple's disease. We treated 19 patients with angiodysplasia (1 to 20 synchronous lesions) with argon, and 4 patients with polyps using polipectomy (sporadic polyps or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome). A retained capsule in one patient with stenosis was removed. CONCLUSIONS: Double-balloon enteroscopy is a useful and effective technique in the diagnosis and treatment of small intestine diseases, thus complementing capsule endoscopy. More studies are needed to analyze its impact on the management of this condition.     

Diagnostic and therapeutic yield of push-and-pull enteroscopy for symptomatic small bowel Crohn's disease strictures

OBJECTIVE: Crohn's disease is frequently complicated by obstructive symptoms secondary to small bowel strictures that cannot be accessed by conventional endoscopy. Push-and-pull enteroscopy is a new endoscopic tool that might allow not only diagnostic work-up but also therapeutic interventions of these strictures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of push-and-pull enteroscopy in the treatment of symptomatic small bowel Crohn's disease strictures. METHODS: Between September 2003 and May 2006, 19 consecutive patients with known or suspected Crohn's disease and symptomatic small bowel strictures were subjected to push-and-pull enteroscopy and included in our analysis. RESULTS: With push-and-pull enteroscopy at least one small bowel stricture was accessed in each patient. On the basis of endoscopic assessment strictures in nine patients were not amenable to endoscopic therapy because of anatomical reasons (3/9) or severe inflammatory activity within the stenotic segment (6/9). They underwent direct surgery or intensified immunomodulatory treatment, respectively. In 10 patients with 13 strictures we performed 15 dilations in combination with push-and-pull enteroscopy under fluoroscopic guidance. Technical success was achieved in 8/10 patients, symptomatic relief with avoidance of surgery was achieved in 6/10 patients who remained symptom free during a mean follow-up period of 10 months (range, 4-16 months). No complications were encountered after dilation. CONCLUSIONS: Push-and-pull enteroscopy is very useful for diagnosis and directing therapy in patients with Crohn's disease-associated strictures within the small bowel. Balloon dilation with the push-and-pull enteroscopy device appears safe and effective and can be considered as an alternative to surgery in selected patients with medically refractory strictures.     

Successful treatment with balloon dilatation using a double‐balloon enteroscope for a stricture in the small bowel of a patient with Crohn's disease

The requirement for endoscopic access to a stricture is a major limitation of the endoscopic dilatation for the treatment of strictures in the gastrointestinal tract. We have developed the double‐balloon enteroscopy method that enables visualization of the entire small bowel. In addition, double‐balloon enteroscopy has a potential for the interventional therapy including dilatation of strictures. We present here a case of jejunal strictures in a 47‐year‐old woman with Crohn's disease successfully treated with a balloon catheter in combination with double‐balloon enteroscopy. Balloon dilation with double‐balloon enteroscopy is a promising method for the treatment of small bowel strictures in Crohn's disease.     

Endoscopic resection of Peutz-Jeghers polyps throughout the small intestine at double-balloon enteroscopy without laparotomy

BACKGROUND: Small-bowel enteroscopy with the double-balloon method was developed to improve access to the small intestine. This study evaluated the usefulness of this method for the resection of small-intestinal Peutz-Jeghers polyps. METHODS: Two patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome underwent nonsurgical double-balloon enteroscopic resection of polyps throughout the small intestine. OBSERVATIONS: Multiple polyps in the jejunum were successfully resected via the oral route, as were the polyps in the ileum via the anal route. All 18 polyps (10-60 mm in size) were resected without subsequent bleeding or perforation. Histopathologically, 3 large polyps (>30 mm diameter) were hamartomas with adenomatous components. CONCLUSIONS: Double-balloon enteroscopy was safe and useful for the diagnosis and the treatment of Peutz-Jeghers polyps throughout the small intestine. Double-balloon enteroscopic polypectomy might preclude complications of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, including intussusception, bleeding, and tumorogenesis, thereby obviating the need for multiple laparotomies.     

双气囊小肠镜在68例小肠疾病诊断中的价值

目的 评价双气囊小肠镜对小肠疾病的诊断价值及安全性和耐受性.方法 2003年5月至2005年7月,对68例经常规检查无异常发现、疑患小肠疾病患者进行双气囊小肠镜检查,其中不明原因反复消化道出血39例、不完全性小肠梗阻7例、慢性腹痛14例、慢性腹泻8例.结果 68例患者中,36例经口进镜,25例经肛进镜,7例患者分别经口及经肛进镜检查.除3例因肠腔狭窄中止进镜外,其余病例均能检查1/2-3/4的小肠,7例患者结合经口及经肛途径完成全小肠检查.68例患者中41例检出阳性病灶,总阳性率为60.3%;其中不明原因消化道出血阳性率为62.6%（26/39）,不完全性小肠梗阻阳性5例,慢性腹痛阳性率为43%（6/14）,慢性腹泻阳性4例.除11例经口进镜者行异丙芬静脉全身麻醉外,其他经口及经肛进镜患者均能耐受整个检查,未出现出血、穿孔等严重并发症.结论 双气囊小肠镜是一种对小肠疾病诊断价值较高、安全可靠的检查手段.     

Double-balloon enteroscopy in patients with GI bleeding of obscure origin

BACKGROUND: Small-bowel bleeding is difficult to treat and diagnose. The recent introduction of wireless capsule endoscopy permits examination of the entire small intestine, but this method lacks tissue sampling and therapeutic capabilities. Recently, Yamamoto et al established a double-balloon insertion method for enteroscopy that allows examination of the entire small bowel and interventional options. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate double-balloon enteroscopy in patients with obscure GI bleeding. SETTING: Single-center prospective study. PATIENTS: Thirty-one consecutive patients with obscure GI bleeding (13 females, 18 males; mean age 56.4 +/- 3.2 years). Criteria for inclusion in the study were documented iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobin level <10 g/dL or a decrease of >2 g/dL over > or =2 months); upper endoscopy not revealing a site/cause of blood loss; and similarly uninformative lower endoscopy including examination of the terminal ileum. INTERVENTIONS: Endoscopic biopsy or therapy was performed as clinically indicated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Diagnostic yield for patients with obscure GI bleeding and patient follow-up. RESULTS: Double-balloon enteroscopy was completed without complications in all patients. Bleeding points were identified in 23 patients (74.2%). In 21 (91.3%) of these 23 patients the cause of blood loss was identified and treated with no further bleeding at 8.5 +/- 0.6 months of follow-up. LIMITATIONS: Small number of patients. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that double-balloon enteroscopy is useful for evaluation and treatment of patients with GI bleeding of obscure origin.