推进式双气囊电子小肠镜对不明原因小肠出血的病因诊断

目的通过对不明原因消化道出血患者行双气囊电子小肠镜检查，评价双气囊电子小肠镜对小肠出血的诊断价值。方法2003年4月至11月，对34例疑为小肠出血患者行推进式双气囊电子小肠镜检查，结合手术和病理做出病因诊断。结果在34例患者中30例发现病灶，检查总体阳性率为88．2％。4例阴性患者中，1例内镜抵达空肠中段，3例抵达回肠中下段。30例阳性患者中，血管病变7例(占20．6％，位于空肠1例，空回肠3例，回肠3例)；小肠肿瘤11例(占32．4％，均经手术及病理证实，位于十二指肠2例，空肠5例，回肠4例。肿瘤性质分别为：间质肿瘤3例，脂肪瘤1例，平滑肌瘤2例，血管瘤2例，嗜铬细胞瘤1例，Kaposi型血管内皮瘤1例，腺癌1例)；克罗恩病4例(占11．8％，位于空回肠部)；其他8例。结论小肠血管病变、小肠肿瘤及小肠克罗恩病为不明原因小肠出血最常见病因；推进式双气囊电子小肠镜是一项安全、直观、可靠、有效的检查手段，对不明原因小肠出血具有较高临床诊断价值。     

运用双气囊电子小肠镜诊断小肠疾病

目的评估双气囊电子小肠镜在小肠疾病诊断中的价值。方法对24名疑患小肠疾病者行双气囊电子小肠镜检查,根据患者具体病情选择进镜方式,全部患者采用国产丙泊芬及芬太尼联合麻醉,心电监护仪监测患者的生命体征并密切观察检查过程中的并发症及主要术后并发症,记录并分析患者的症状、小肠镜检查情况、其他检查情况、病理结果、最后诊断。结果本组24名患者的小肠疾病总阳性检出率为62.5%;共检出疾病类型8种,其中小肠血管畸形3例、空肠间质瘤2例、空肠淋巴瘤1例、空肠腺癌2例、小肠寄生虫病2例、小肠憩室2例、回肠双腔畸形1例、小肠息肉2例。结论运用双气囊电子小肠镜对小肠疾病的诊治有非常重要的价值。     

34例不明原因疑小肠出血的病因诊断--推进式双气囊小肠镜与小肠钡灌检查对比研究

背景:不明原因小肠出血的病因诊断较为困难,不同检查手段的临床实用价值有待进一步探讨.目的:通过对不明原因疑小肠出血患者分别行推进式双气囊小肠镜和小肠钡灌检查,比较两者对小肠出血的病变检出率、病因诊断准确率和临床实用价值.方法:34例不明原因疑小肠出血患者分别接受推进式双气囊小肠镜和小肠钡灌检查.推进式双气囊小肠镜检查的进镜方式分为经口腔和经肛门两种,以首选进镜方式检查后未发现病灶者,择期改换进镜方式再行检查.小肠钡灌检查采用插管式稀钡灌注法.两项检查分别由消化科和放射科医师独立操作并诊断,最后进行汇总分析.结果:在34例行推进式双气囊小肠镜检查的患者中,首选从口腔进镜者22例,其中14例(63.6%)检出病灶;8例未发现病灶者择期再从肛门进镜检查,6例检出病灶.12例首选从肛门进镜者中8例(66.7%)检出病灶;4例择期再从口腔进镜检查,3例检出病灶.推进式双气囊小肠镜检查的病变整体检出率为91.2%(31/34);小肠钡灌检查的病变整体检出率为50.0%(17/34).推进式双气囊小肠镜检查发现的阳性病灶均经活检病理检查、手术探查以及临床治疗和随访结果证实,病因诊断准确率为100%(31/31);小肠钡灌检查的病因诊断准确率为48.4%(15/31).全麻下经口腔进镜推进式双气囊小肠镜检查的患者耐受性最佳,其后依次为非麻醉经肛门进镜、非麻醉经口腔进镜和小肠钡灌检查.所有受检者均未发生严重操作相关并发症.结论:经口腔和经肛门进镜方式结合能使推进式双气囊小肠镜完成对全小肠的检查,其在不明原因小肠出血的病因诊断方面明显优于小肠钡灌检查.小肠钡灌对肠腔狭窄和小肠肿瘤仍是一项较有价值的检查方法,同时可作为选择后续检查方法的筛选性手段.全麻下经口腔进镜推进式双气囊小肠镜检查是一项安全、易为患者接受、病变检出率和病因诊断准确率均较高的小肠疾病检查方法.     

双气囊电子小肠镜临床应用初探

目的探讨小肠疾病检查新方法——双气囊电子小肠镜的操作、诊断效果、适应证等问题。方法应用双气囊电子小肠镜对13例疑诊小肠疾病的患者进行双气囊小肠镜检查。分别从口侧或肛侧进镜，利用外套管、内镜前端的双气囊交替充气、放气和交替滑进，推进小肠镜进入小肠检查。记录检查范围、时间、耐受性及病变等。结果13例患者共行小肠镜检查19例次(11例次接受了口侧进镜，8例次接受了肛侧进镜)，每侧进镜术程平均80min。从口侧进镜均达第3～6组小肠，从肛侧进镜达4～6组小肠。发现空肠良性问质瘤1例、空肠淋巴瘤1例、回肠溃疡狭窄及憩室2例、空肠息肉2例、空肠糜烂2例。口侧进镜患者，术中多数出现恶心、消化液自口及外滑管口溢出，偶尔出现一过性轻微腹痛；肛侧进镜患者无明显不适及反应；未出现出血、穿孔等并发症。结论双气囊小肠镜是一种新型小肠疾病检查手段，平均2～3h可检查完所有小肠，进镜迅速。于操作直视下观察病变，通过活检对病变进行定性检查。病变检出率明显优于小肠钡剂造影，具有安全、可控性、直视、图像清晰等优点，适用于无肠粘连及严重脏器功能不全的小肠疾病患者。     

胶囊内镜与推进式小肠镜诊断不明原因消化道出血的评价

目的 比较胶囊内镜与推进式小肠镜对不明原因消化道出血的诊断价值。方法 总结32例消化道出血患者的胶囊内镜检查结果及36例消化道出血患者推进式小肠镜检查结果，上述患者均经结肠镜、胃镜、X线钡餐、小肠钡剂灌肠、血管造影或核素扫描等检查未发现异常。结果 胶囊内镜检查的32例中共发现异常26例，检出率为8l％。其中能明确解释出血原因者2l例，包括消化道血管病变8例，小肠炎症性肠病5例，小肠息肉4例，小肠恶性间质肿瘤2例，小肠类癌l例(该患者同时伴升结肠脂肪瘤)及出血性胃炎l例；疑诊5例。推进式小肠镜检查的36例明确出血原因9例，即诊断率为25％，包括空肠上段血管畸形2例，平滑肌肉瘤2例，平滑肌瘤、腺瘤性息肉、克罗恩病、壶腹部腺癌及淋巴瘤各l例；疑诊2例。结论 胶囊内镜对不明原因消化道出血具有较高的检出率和诊断率，检查效果及方法明显优于推进式小肠镜。胶囊内镜可明显简化不明原因消化道出血患者的检查步骤．应成为经胃镜、结肠镜检查阴性患者的首选检查方法。     

双气囊电子小肠镜检查小肠疾病62例

目的:评价双气囊小肠镜对小肠疾病诊断价值及其安全性和操作性能,增加小肠疾病的检出率.方法:2005-08/2006-12期间62例有消化道症状,经胃镜、结肠镜、全消化道钡餐、腹部CT等检查无阳性发现的患者应用双气囊电子小肠镜检查,结合手术、病理结果、观察、分析其阳性率、检查范围、并发症等,所有检查均在静脉麻醉下完成.结果:62例患者中仅有5例发生轻度呼吸抑制、血压下降等麻醉相关的并发症:检查过程除了咽喉损伤、黏膜擦伤外无严重并发症发生.62例患者通过双气囊小肠镜检查发现有病变者53例,病变检出率85.5%;其中肿瘤性疾病10例,占18.9%(10/53);炎症性疾病包括炎症性肠病和非特异性糜烂、溃疡20例,占37.7%(20/53);血管性疾病7例,占13.2%(7/53);寄生虫病6例,占11.3%(6/53);其他10例,占18.9%(10/53);未发现病灶9例.结论:双气囊小肠镜可直视检查全消化道腔内病变,对消化道特别是小肠病变检出率高,是诊断和治疗小肠疾病的有力工具.     

胶囊内镜与双气囊小肠镜在诊断小肠疾病中的应用

常规内镜检查不能确定来源的持续或反复消化道出血,称为不明原因消化道出血（OGIB）。OGIB约占消化道出血的5％,多为小肠疾病所致,如血管病变、小肠肿瘤、Meckel憩室等。小肠气钡双重造影、放射性核素扫描、选择性腹腔动脉造影、推进式小肠镜等技术诊断小肠疾病敏感度低、漏诊率高。胶囊内镜（CE）和双气囊小肠镜（DBE）的相继诞生,开创了小肠疾病诊断的新时代。现对胶囊内镜及双气囊小肠镜检查小肠疾病的适应证、禁忌证、并发症及OGIB检出率等进行对比,综述如下。     

术前术中小肠镜对消化道出血诊断的作用评估

双气囊小肠镜自2001年应用以来，已成为一种有效的小肠疾病检查方法。自2004年12月以来，我院对32例不明原因消化道出血患者行双气囊小肠镜检查，检出23例疑有小肠疾病且有手术适应证的患者，行手术治疗，术中再次行小肠镜检查，记录病变性质及数量。     

双气囊电子小肠镜34例应用体会

长达6 m的小肠是消化道最后的盲区,由于它弯曲和游离度大,一般内镜很难插至全小肠,使得许多小肠疾病难以明确诊断,双气囊推进性电子小肠镜有效解决了这一难题, 使得全小肠的检查成为现实。我院2003年10月至2004年11月使用FUJINON EN-450P推进式双气囊电子小肠镜为34     

双气囊小肠镜在原因不明的慢性腹痛诊断中的价值

目的比较双气囊小肠镜和胶囊内镜对原因不明的慢性腹痛患者的病变检出情况,评价双气囊小肠镜对原因不明的慢性腹痛的诊断价值,探讨小肠疾病导致慢性腹痛的常见病因。方法将46例经胃镜、结肠镜、钡餐等检查结果阴性的慢性腹痛患者行双气囊小肠镜检查,首选进镜方式为经口和经肛2种,首选方式检查后未发现病灶者,改换进镜方式再行检查。另70例患者行胶囊内镜检查。两组患者的相关检查分别由专门医师独立操作并诊断,最后进行汇总分析。结果双气囊小肠镜组46例患者中,15例经口进镜,22例经肛门进镜,9例行口-肛门进镜。通过双气囊小肠镜检查发现病灶28例,小肠病变检出率60.87%;胶囊内镜组70例患者中,29例发现小肠病变,小肠病变检出率为41.43%;双气囊小肠镜的病变检出率明显高于胶囊内镜,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。双气囊小肠镜组和胶囊内镜组检出病变中,以克罗恩病最为常见（分别为9例和8例）,其次为非特异性肠炎。结合小肠镜检查结果、手术及临床上药物治疗效果,双气囊小肠镜组诊断疾病的准确率为82.14%（23/28）。其中除1例患者发生急性胰腺炎外,其余患者均未见严重的不良反应及出血、穿孔等严重的并发症。结论双气囊小肠镜对小肠病变所致的慢性腹痛阳性病变检出率高于胶囊内镜,诊断准确率较高,是一种安全可靠的检查手段;导致慢性腹痛的小肠疾病最常见病因为克罗恩病,其次为非特异性肠炎。     

A prospective comparison of capsule endoscopy and push enteroscopy in patients with GI bleeding of obscure origin

BACKGROUND: Capsule endoscopy is used to investigate the small bowel in patients with GI bleeding of obscure etiology. Capsule endoscopy was compared prospectively with push enteroscopy in 20 patients with GI hemorrhage. METHODS: Twenty patients (8 men, 12 women; mean age 65.5 years, range 38-80 years) were enrolled in the study. All had undergone non-diagnostic EGD, colonoscopy, and barium contrast radiography of the small bowel. All patients underwent capsule endoscopy followed by push enteroscopy. The physician performing the enteroscopy (senior endoscopist) interpreted the capsule endoscopy in an unblinded manner, while a second blinded reviewer (endoscopy fellow) interpreted the capsule endoscopy to establish interinterpreter reliability. RESULTS: There was complete agreement between the blinded and the unblinded physicians in 18 of 20 cases; minor disparities were noted in the remaining two cases. In the small bowel, capsule endoscopy identified positive findings in 14 (70%) patients, whereas, push enteroscopy identified positive findings in 5 (25%) patients. Despite these results, the findings were definitive in only 6 of the 20 patients by using capsule endoscopy, and in two of 20 patients with push enteroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: When strict standards of interpretation were used, capsule endoscopy resulted in more positive findings than push enteroscopy, but the number of definitive findings for both imaging methods was low. There was a high degree of reliability between a novice and an experienced endoscopist with respect to the interpretation of capsule endoscopy.     

Diagnostic value of push-type enteroscopy: a report from India

OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the diagnostic value of push-type enteroscopy in relation to indications. METHODS: Ninety-nine consecutive patients (mean age, 42+/-15 yr; 65 men) with suspected small bowel disorders underwent push enteroscopy. The indications were chronic diarrhea (n = 54), obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (n = 21), abdominal pain (n = 10), abnormal radiological studies of small bowel (n = 5), iron deficiency anemia (n = 5), and others (n = 4). Push enteroscopy was performed using the Olympus SIF-10 (160-cm) enteroscope. RESULTS: Endoscopic examination of the jejunum was successful in all the patients, except one with a distal duodenal stricture. The length of the jejunum examined ranged from 10 to 70 cm. The time taken to complete the procedure varied from 2 to 30 min. Lesions were found in nine (42.8%) patients with obscure GI bleeding; six (28.5%) had worms (Ascaris lumbricoides [n = 3], Ankylostoma duodenale [n = 3]) in the jejunum, producing multiple erosions and bleeding points. In the chronic diarrhea group, a diagnosis was made in 13 (24%) patients on enteroscopic visualization and jejunal histology: celiac disease (n = 6), tropical sprue (n = 3), Crohn's disease (n = 1), secondary lymphangiectasia (n = 1), strongyloidiasis (n = 1), and nodular lymphoid hyperplasia with giardiasis (n = 1). In patients with abdominal pain, enteroscopy provided a diagnosis in one (10%) patient. No positive diagnosis could be made on enteroscopy in patients with iron deficiency anemia and abnormal radiological studies of small bowel. CONCLUSION: Push-type enteroscopy is a useful test in the evaluation of patients with obscure GI bleeding and chronic diarrhea. In developing countries, in patients with obscure GI bleeding, the presence of worms in the jejunum is an important finding on enteroscopy. Tropical sprue, giardiasis, and strongyloidiasis are distinct findings in patients with chronic diarrhea in the present series.     

Push and Sonde Enteroscopy for the Diagnosis of Obsccre Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Objective: The combination of push and sonde enteroseopy permits endoscopic evaluation to extend the distal small bowel. Our objective was to determine the yields of both push and sonde enteroscopy in patients with obscure GI bleeding. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 553 small bowel examinations performed with an orally passed 135-cm pediatric colonoscope in combination with a 2750-cm per nasal sonde enteroscope to investigate the small bowel for sources of gastrointestinal bleeding of obscure origin. Results: The examination reached the distal Jejunum or beyond in over 90% of patients undergoing both push and sonde enteroscopy. The yield of these combined studies was 58% for identifying a possible source of gastrointestinal blood loss. In 40% of the examinations, the abnormality was found distal to tbe limits of routine upper gastrointestinal en-doscopy. In 26% of all examinations, the lesion was detectable only by sonde enteroscopy. The most common small bowel findings were mucosal vascular lesions (31% of all exams) and tumors (6%). No major endoscopic complications occurred, and patients tolerated the procedures well. Conclusions: The combination of push and sonde enteroscopy is a valuable tool in the evaluation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and may provide useful information necessary to formulate treatment plans aimed at cessation of bleeding.     

Small Bowel Push-type Fiberoptic Enteroscopy for Patients with Occult Gastrointestinal Bleeding or Suspected Small Bowel Pathology

Objectives: Endoscopic investigation of the small intestine remains the last frontier for gastroendoscopists. We evaluated the diagnostic efficacy and safety of two different push-type, fiberoptic enteroscopes in the investigation of patients with occult gastrointestinal bleeding or suspected small howel pathology. Methods: Sixty-six patients (28 men, 38 women; mean age, 68) underwent push-type enteroscopy with either the SIF 10.5L (n = 17; scope length, 2495 mm) or the SIF 3000 (n = 49; length, 2995 mm) enteroscopes (Olympus America, Inc, Lake Success, New York), All patients enrolled had an indication of either occult gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 55) or suspected small bowel pathology (n = 11), Push-type enteroscopy was performed with an overtube and fluo-roscopic guidance to better estimate the degree of insertion. Assessments of mucosal visualization, tip deflection, procedure tolerance, and complications were noted. Results: Visualization of the small bowel mucosa and tip deflection was rated excellent in all patients. The mean length of insertion past the ligament of Treitz for the SIF 10.5L was 90 cm and 113 cm for the SIF 3000. Only one complication, a pharyngeal tear, occurred with the SIF 3000. Lesions that may explain the occult GI bleeding were found in 35 out of 55 patients (64%). Twenty-one of these 35 patients (60%) had lesions proximal to the ligament of Treitz, and 14 patients (40%) had lesions distal to the ligament of Treitz. If only distal lesions were considered, the diagnostic yield was 25% (14/55) for occult GI bleeding and 73% (8/11) for suspected small bowel pathology. The most common lesions were arteriovenous malformations (34%), which were successfully cauterized. Conclusion: With a relatively high diagnostic yield and therapeutic capability, push-type enteroscopy should play an important role in the investigation and treatment of lesions causing occult GI bleeding and small bowel pathology.     

Small bowel polyps in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: management by combined push enteroscopy and intraoperative enteroscopy

BACKGROUND: Polyps occur throughout the GI tract in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome; the major problem in the management of the syndrome lies in the small bowel. METHODS: From January 1979 to January 1998, seven patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome underwent surveillance. Between 1979 and 1992 they were managed with upper and lower endoscopy every 2 to 3 years and surgery when intestinal obstruction occurred. From 1993 they also underwent enteroclysis and, on the basis of radiologic findings, push enteroscopy and/or intraoperative enteroscopy. Push enteroscopy was then performed every 2 years in all patients. RESULTS: During the first period, 5 of 7 patients underwent emergency small bowel resection (2 operated twice). The patients were divided into 2 groups based on enteroclysis findings; the first comprised 4 patients with multiple polyps throughout the small bowel, and the second included 3 patients with polyps only in the proximal small bowel. Three of the 4 patients with diffuse polyposis underwent intraoperative enteroscopy during which on average 16 polyps per patient were removed (range 10 to 25 polyps; mean diameter 16 mm, range 3 to 50 mm). The remaining patient with diffuse polyposis had a single 25 mm polyp in the terminal ileum removed by retrograde ileoscopy; the more proximal polyps were removed by push enteroscopy. The patients with diffuse polyposis remained asymptomatic during follow-up (mean 50 months, range 47 to 57 months) and also underwent periodic push enteroscopy (mean 2.25 enteroscopies per patient, range 2 to 3) at which a mean of 8.5 polyps per patient (range 4 to 13 polyps) were removed (mean diameter 7.2 mm, range 3 to 15 mm). The 3 patients of the second group underwent periodic push enteroscopy alone (mean 3 per patient) during which a mean of 11.7 polyps per patient were removed (range 7 to 15 polyps: mean diameter 10.9 mm, range 3 to 40 mm). Enteroclysis was not repeated in these patients, who remained asymptomatic during follow-up (mean 47 months, range 46 to 48 months). CONCLUSIONS: More effective clearance of small bowel polyps via enteroscopy will help reduce the need for emergency surgery with extensive intestinal resection in patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.     

Long-term follow-up of patients with iron deficiency anemia after a close endoscopic examination of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract

BACKGROUND: In patients with Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) occult gastrointestinal bleeding is generally investigated by bidirectional endoscopy. The aim of our study was to examine the long-term follow-up of patients with IDA where the sources of bleeding couldn't be detected despite close endoscopic and radiologic examination of the GI tract. METHODS: Based on the endoscopic data base we examined consecutive patients who were referred for gastrointestinal endoscopy due to IDA with a negative endoscopic (upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy) evaluation. Further diagnostic work up (repeated endoscopy of the upper and lower GI tract by an experienced investigator, small bowel enteroclysis, push enteroscopy, proctoscopy, intraoperative enteroscopy, angiography, scintigraphic examinations) was recorded. The eligible patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (no identification of the source of bleeding in the GI tract); group 2 (source of gastrointestinal blood loss was found). Long-term follow-up was performed by telephone interview with patients and/or with their general practitioner. RESULTS: 79 patients (mean age 58.8 years [17-83, 44] female) with IDA met the inclusion criteria. In 42 patients (53%) the endoscopic and radiographic evaluation was unable to find the source of gastrointestinal blood loss. 29 of these patients (69%) showed a resolved anemia after a mean follow-up of 48 months (18 months-5 years). 10 patients had a mild anemia, 3 required blood transfusions. In group one Helicobacter pylori infection was significantly more prevalent in comparison with group 2 (57% vs. 38%, p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Based on our data, the prognosis of IDA with negative endoscopy is favorable. The pathogenic role of Helicobacter pylori infection should be evaluated in further studies.     

Multiple angiodysplasia of the small intestine. A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

Small bowel bleeding is infrequent and presents a challenge to the clinician. Approximately 30-40% of gastrointestinal bleeding localized in the small bowel is due to angiodysplasia, a vascular malformation. We present the case of a patient with multiple angiodysplasia of the small bowel who required push enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy to establish the diagnosis. Treatment with subcutaneous octreotide was successful. In conclusion, in doubtful cases or in patients with persistent hemorrhage, capsule endoscopy can improve the diagnostic yield of enteroscopy in bleeding gastrointestinal vascular lesions such as angiodysplasia. Endoscopic treatment (laser coagulation) and drug therapy (somatostatin or analogs) are valid alternatives in inoperable or non-resectable cases.     

Videocapsule endoscopy renders obscure gastrointestinal bleeding no longer obscure

INTRODUCTION: Hemorrhage arising from inaccessible areas of the gastrointestinal tract has long been an enigma in gastroenterology. The advent of the Given M2A videocapsule endoscope now permits direct visualization of small bowel mucosa. The purpose of this study is to compare the diagnostic yield of the Given M2A videocapsule endoscope to conventional push enteroscopy. METHODS: Twenty consecutively referred patients (9 men aged 54.8 +/- 21.7 years, 11 women aged 65.6 +/- 16.6 years) who had previously had 1.6 +/- 0.8 EGDs, 1.6 +/- 0.8 colonoscopies, at least 1 normal small bowel radiographic study, and who had received 6.2 +/- 3.9 units of blood were studied. Patients underwent videocapsule endoscopy and subsequently push enteroscopy within 1 week. The endoscopist was blinded to the results of the videocapsule study. RESULTS: Videocapsule endoscopy determined the source of bleeding in 12/20 (60%) of patients versus 15% for push enteroscopy (McNemara chi2, P = 0.02). Videocapsule endoscopy found a source of bleeding in 9/13 patients in whom enteroscopy was negative. Three patients had surgical resections for vascular ectasias (2) and a hamartoma (1) based on the videocapsule endoscopy results. CONCLUSION: The Given M2A videocapsule endoscope has superior diagnostic utility for the evaluation of gastrointestinal bleeding when compared with standard push enteroscopy. The Given M2A videocapsule endoscope can be used to direct appropriate therapy in addition to avoiding the use of unnecessary conventional endoscopic and radiologic procedures.     

Diagnostic yield and clinical implications of push enteroscopy: results from a nonspecialized center

BACKGROUND Push enteroscopy is increasingly used as an investigative tool for the evaluation of gastrointestinal bleeding, and studies from specialized centers have shown an overall diagnostic yield of push enteroscopy in such patients ranging from 38% to 75%. The aim of our study was to characterize the yield and clinical effect of push enteroscopy to determine the applicability of prior observations to other academic centers.STUDY We retrospectively studied patients who underwent push enteroscopy between January 1995 and December 2000 at our institution. Detailed clinical history, endoscopic findings, endoscopic therapy, and subsequent medical treatment were obtained through review of medical records and our endoscopic database. Medications prescribed after enteroscopy and whether medical management was affected by the findings of push enteroscopy were also recorded.RESULTS Over the 6-year study period, 126 patients (48% men; mean age, 62 years; range, 15-91 years) underwent push enteroscopy. The most common indications for push enteroscopy were gastrointestinal bleeding in 57 patients (45%) and iron-deficiency anemia in 32 (25%). The results of push enteroscopy were normal in 44 patients (35%), and the most frequent endoscopic lesions were angiectasias in 24 patients (19%), gastric erosions in 10 (8%), gastric ulcer in four (3%), jejunal ulcer in three (2%), and esophagitis in three (2%). The identified lesions (n = 89) were within reach of a standard upper endoscope in 42 patients (47%). Endoscopic therapy was performed in 12 patients (13%), and the management of 50 patients (40%) was changed based on findings at push enteroscopy.CONCLUSIONS Push enteroscopy has a high diagnostic yield, similar to reports from specialized centers suggesting the potential clinical benefit of more widespread use.