Capsule endoscopy in celiac disease

Video capsule endoscopy is an attractive and patient- friendly tool that provides high quality images of the small bowel. Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding is the primary and most evaluated indication to capsule endoscopy; however, indications are expanding and a small number of preliminary reports have been presented concerning the role of video capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis of celiac disease. The purpose of this review is to update the current knowledge and to hypothesize on future perspectives of the use of video capsule endoscopy in patients with celiac disease.     

Frequency of small bowel polyps in patients with duodenal adenoma but without familial adenomatous polyposis

INTRODUCTION: It is uncertain whether patients with duodenal adenomas without familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are at greater risk for small bowel neoplasia. We therefore conducted a study to determine the frequency of small bowel polyps in patients with non-papillary duodenal adenomas using capsule endoscopy for small bowel examination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 14 patients (8 women, 6 men; mean age 67 +/- 10 years; range: 49 - 77 years) with non-papillary duodenal adenomas without FAP were included. All patients underwent wireless capsule endoscopy. The results were compared with an age- and sex-matched cohort of patients undergoing capsule endoscopy for suspected small bowel disease. RESULTS: Overall, 15 polyps ranging between 1 and 8 mm in diameter were detected in eight patients of the study group, whereas no polyps could be identified in the control group. Natural excretion of the capsule within 24 hours was always reported and no complications were reported by any of the patients. Other pathological findings were multiple angiodysplasias in two patients of the study group. In the control group capsule endoscopy detected angiodysplasias in 5 patients with the indication obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, and inflammatory lesions in 2 patients with suspected Crohn's disease. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this prospective study, the frequency of small bowel polyps in patients with duodenal adenomas without familial adenomatous polyposis appears to be increased compared with a control group undergoing capsule endoscopy for other reasons. In none of the patients was the management altered. Follow-up data of these patients will be needed.     

Clinical utility, safety and tolerability of capsule endoscopy in urban Southeast Asian population

AIM: Capsule endoscopy has demonstrated its clinical utility in the evaluation of small bowel pathology in several Western studies. In this prospective study, we aimed to determine the clinical utility, safety and tolerability of capsule endoscopy in the evaluation of suspected small bowel disease in an urban Southeast Asian population.METHODS: We used the given (M2A) capsule endoscopy system in 16 consecutive patients with suspected small bowel pathology. In 9 patients the indication was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, while in 6 patients it was to determine the extent of small bowel involvement in Crohn‘s disease. One patient underwent capsule endoscopy for evaluation of chronic abdominal pain. Patient‘‘s tolerabilityto the procedure was evaluated by standardized questionnaires and all patients were reviewed at one week to ensure that the capsule had been excreted without any adverse events.RESULTS: Abnormal findings were present in 8 patients (50 %). The cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding was determined in 5 out of 9 patients. Findings included 2 cases of angiodysplasia, 2 cases of jejunal ulcers and 1 case of both angiodysplasia and jejunal ulcer. One patient had smallbowel erosions and foci of erythema of doubtful significance. Ileal lesions were diagnosed in 2 out of 6 patients with Crohn‘‘s disease. Capsule endoscopy was well tolerated by allpatients. One patient with Crohn‘‘s disease had a complication of capsule retention due to terminal ileum stricture. Thecapsule eventually passed out spontaneously after 1 month. CONCLUSION: Our study, which represented the first Asian series, further confirms the diagnostic utility, safety and tolerability of wireless capsule endoscopy.     

Wireless capsule endoscopy for obscure small-bowel disorders: final results of the first pediatric controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Obscure small-bowel disorders are jejunal and ileal lesions undiagnosed by traditional imaging techniques (endoscopic, radiologic). We evaluated the diagnostic usefulness and safety of capsule endoscopy for obscure small-bowel disorders in children and adolescents. METHODS: Comparative, prospective, self-controlled trials in patients (age, 10-18 y) suspected to have either small-bowel Crohn's disease, polyps, or obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Capsule results were compared with the diagnostic imaging studies normally used in this age group. RESULTS: Among 20 patients suspected of Crohn's disease, multiple lesions consistent with this diagnosis were observed by capsule endoscopy in 50%. Small-bowel Crohn's disease was ruled out in 8 patients. Eosinophilic enteropathy was found in 2 others. For polyp detection (n = 6), capsule endoscopy yielded 100% concordance with the control studies when analyzed per patient. However, capsule endoscopy revealed a greater number (50%) of polyps. Among patients with obscure bleeding (n = 4), the capsule examination confirmed a diagnosis of vascular malformations in 3. Capsule endoscopy more accurately identified the precise source of bleeding compared with angiography. All 30 capsule studies were well tolerated, although 1 capsule was retained owing to an inflammatory stenosis. The capsule eventually was expelled after corticosteroid therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Capsule endoscopy correctly diagnosed or excluded a bleeding source, small-bowel polyps, or Crohn's disease of the small bowel in 29 of 30 patients. Capsule endoscopy permits an accurate, noninvasive approach for diagnosing obscure small bowel lesions in children over the age of 10.     

Wireless capsule endoscopy for diagnosis of small intestinal lesions

Background: Capsule endoscopy represents a new and highly innovative method of visualizing the small intestine. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the practicality, usefulness and diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy in a group of patients with suspected small intestinal disease. Methods: Eleven patients underwent capsule endoscopy using the M2A Capsule Endoscope? (Given Imaging, Yogneam, Israel). The indications for the procedure were: obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in seven patients, evaluation of Crohn's disease in three patients and unexplained abdominal pain and weight loss in one patient. Results: Abnormalities were detected in six of 11 patients overall. Detection of abnormalities was highest among patients with obscure GI bleeding where active bleeding and/or the source of bleeding was identified in five of the seven (71.4%) patients. One of the three patients with Crohn's disease had an ileal ulcer detected, while the remaining patient with unexplained weight loss and pain had a normal examination. Conclusion: We have found in our preliminary experience that capsule endoscopy is a useful and practical procedure to perform especially for evaluation of obscure GI bleeding.     

Capsule endoscopy: past,present, and future

A capsule endoscope is a swallowable wireless miniature camera for getting images of the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa. The initial capsule endoscope model was developed by Given Imaging and approved in Western countries in 2001. Before the introduction of capsule endoscopy (CE) and double-balloon endoscopy (DBE), there was no effective modality for the evaluation and management of patients with obscure GI bleeding. Obscure GI bleeding is defined as bleeding of unknown origin that persists or recurs after a negative initial or primary endoscopy (colonoscopy or upper endoscopy) result. The first capsule endoscope model, which is now regarded as a first-line tool for the detection of abnormalities of the small bowel, was the PillCam SB. It was approved in Japan in April 2007. The main indication for use of the PillCam SB is obscure GI bleeding. Almost the only complication of CE is capsule retention, which is the capsule remaining in the digestive tract for a minimum of 2 weeks. A retained capsule can be retrieved by DBE. There are some limitations of CE in that it cannot be used to obtain a biopsy specimen or for endoscopic treatment. However, the combination of a PillCam SB and DBE seems to be the best strategy for management of obscure GI bleeding. Recently, several new types of capsule endoscope have been developed, such as Olympus CE for the small bowel, PillCam ESO for investigation of esophageal diseases, and PillCam COLON for detection of colonic neoplasias. In the near future, CE is expected to have a positive impact on many aspects of GI disease evaluation and management.     

Safety of capsule endoscopy in patients with pacemakers

BACKGROUND: Capsule endoscopy, a new technology, allows visualization of the entire small intestinal mucosa. The main indication for capsule endoscopy at present is the evaluation of GI bleeding of obscure origin. Studies to date suggest that capsule endoscopy is safe and is associated with few adverse events. One concern, which has not been studied, is the potential effect of the capsule on cardiac pacemakers and other electromedical devices. The primary aims of this study were to evaluate the safety of capsule endoscopy in patients with cardiac pacemakers who are being evaluated for GI bleeding of obscure origin and to determine whether pacemakers have any effect on the images captured by the capsule endoscope. METHODS: Patients with cardiac pacemakers referred for evaluation of GI bleeding of obscure origin were entered into the study. Before the procedure, an electrocardiogram was obtained, and pacemaker functions were checked. Capsule endoscopy was performed in a hospital setting to allow closer monitoring, instead of the outpatient clinic, which is our routine. Cardiac rhythm was assessed simultaneously during capsule endoscopy with a Holter monitor. Post-procedure pacemaker function was again checked for any disturbance. When the capsule endoscopy studies were reviewed, observations were made with particular reference to technical difficulty or interference with imaging. OBSERVATIONS: Five consecutive patients (4 men, 1 woman; mean age, 73 years, range 56-92 years) with cardiac pacemakers were studied. In all patients, the indication for capsule endoscopy was GI bleeding of obscure origin. A cardiologist and pacemaker nurse specialist reviewed the Holter monitor recordings and evaluated pacemaker function after the procedure for each patient. No arrhythmia or other adverse cardiac event was noted during capsule transmission. No pacemaker-induced interference on the capsule endoscopy images was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Capsule endoscopy appears to be safe in patients with cardiac pacemakers and does not appear to be associated with any significant adverse cardiac event. Pacemakers do not interfere with capsule imaging.     

Capsule endoscopy: Where are we after 6 years of clinical use?

Capsule endoscopy has revolutionised the management of digestive tract diseases by providing a new non-invasive way to view the entire small bowel mucosa directly. Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding is the primary and best validated indication to capsule endoscopy, which when used as first-line exploration is the most efficient strategy as regards diagnosis. In these patients, the technique is also helpful for effective decision-making concerning subsequent treatments. There is significant uncertainty regarding the role of capsule endoscopy in patients with Crohn's disease. Although it is clearly more sensitive than conventional imaging modalities, the implications of the lesions identified with this technique are not fully understood. Further prospective studies are required to identify the clinical settings where capsule endoscopy is most effective in these patients. Capsule endoscopy may potentially lead to diagnosis of small bowel tumours earlier in their course; it should be used as first-line surveillance procedure in patients with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome, and it may be of clinical value in selected patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. Although preliminary results are promising, additional research is necessary to determine its role in the diagnosis and management of coeliac disease, as well as for the diagnosis of oesophageal and large bowel disorders. Well-designed studies are also needed to better define the impact of capsule endoscopy on health care use and clinical outcome of patients with intestinal diseases.     

Capsule endoscopy: current indications and future prospects

Capsule endoscopy represents a significant advance in the investigation of small bowel diseases and the beginning of wireless endoscopic imaging. Capsule endoscopy involves swallowing a video capsule endoscope, which is painless and relatively safe. Its use has been established for suspected small bowel bleeding, and the role of capsule endoscopy in the investigation of inflammatory bowel disease, iatrogenic disease, polyposis syndromes and coeliac disease is evolving. It is likely that in many instances it will become the next test after standard endoscopic evaluation. Early data suggest that capsule endoscopy improves outcome in patients with suspected small bowel bleeding, but more data are required on outcomes for the other indications.     

Capsule endoscopy in real life: a four-centre experience of 160 consecutive patients in Israel

OBJECTIVE: The Given Capsule procedure is a new system designed to aid the gastroenterologist in diagnosing small-bowel disease. Capsule endoscopy has provided gastroenterologists with easy access to small-bowel mucosa for examination by direct visualisation. The aim of our prospective study was to determine the indication for capsule endoscopy and to describe the identified pathology within the gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: Patients with unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding from suspected small-bowel pathology of an undisclosed nature or with unexplained abdominal pain for more than 6 months were eligible to undergo capsule endoscopy. Patients with suspected intestinal obstruction or with a history of major abdominal surgery were excluded. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty patients (70 women, 90 men; mean age 49.0 +/- 19.8 years, range 13-91 years) ingested the capsule easily. They had undergone 6 +/- 2.9 investigative procedures before capsule endoscopy. Two (1.25%) patients who had non-natural excretions underwent surgery: one was found to have Meckel's diverticulum and the other had stricturing Crohn's disease. The mean haemoglobin in iron-deficiency anaemia patients was 9.1 +/- 2.2 g%. The diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy was 57.7% in iron-deficiency anaemia and 52.4% in suspected Crohn's disease. CONCLUSIONS: Capsule endoscopy detected the more clinically significant intestinal lesions. It was of diagnostic value in patients with obscure bleeding, suspected Crohn's disease and malabsorption, but the diagnostic yield in patients with chronic pain or irritable bowel syndrome-type symptoms was low.     

Non-small-bowel abnormalities identified during small bowel capsule endoscopy

AIM:To investigate the incidence of non-small-bowelabnormalities in patients referred for small bowel capsule endoscopy,this single center study was performed.METHODS:Small bowel capsule endoscopy is an accepted technique to investigate obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.This is defined as bleeding from the digestive tract that persists or recurs without an obviousetiology after a normal gastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy.Nevertheless,capsule endoscopy sometimesreveals findings outside the small bowel,i.e.,withinreach of conventional endoscopes.In this retrospectivesingle center study,595 patients undergoing capsuleendoscopy between 2003 and 2009 were studied.Theincidence of non-small bowel abnormalities was defined as visible abnormalities detected by capsule endoscopy that are located within reach of conventionalendoscopes.RESULTS:In 595 patients,referred for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding or for suspected Crohn’s disease,abnormalities were found in 306(51.4%).Of these 306patients,85(27.7%)had abnormalities within reach of conventional endoscopes;63 had abnormalities apparently overlooked at previous conventional endoscopies,10 patients had not undergone upper and lower endoscopy prior to capsule endoscopy and 12 had abnormalities that were already known prior to capsule endoscopy.The most common type of missed lesions were vascular lesions(n=47).Non-small-bowel abnormalities were located in the stomach(n=15),proximal small bowel(n=22),terminal ileum(n=21),colon(n=19)or at other or multiple locations(n=8).Ten patients with abnormal findings in the terminal ileum had not undergone examination of the ileum during colonoscopy.CONCLUSION:A significant proportion of patients undergoing small bowel capsule endoscopy had lesions within reach of conventional endoscopes,indicating that capsule endoscopy was unnecessarily performed.     

A prospective two-center study comparing wireless capsule endoscopy with intraoperative enteroscopy in patients with obscure GI bleeding

BACKGROUND: Capsule endoscopy enables noninvasive diagnostic examination of the entire small intestine. However, sensitivity and specificity of capsule endoscopy have not been adequately defined. We, therefore, compared capsule endoscopy by using intraoperative enteroscopy as a criterion standard in patients with obscure GI bleeding. METHODS: Forty-seven consecutive patients with obscure GI bleeding (11 with ongoing overt bleeding, 24 with previous overt bleeding, and 12 with obscure-occult bleeding) from two German gastroenterologic centers were included. All patients who had a prior nondiagnostic evaluation, including upper endoscopy, colonoscopy with a retrograde examination of the distal ileum, and push enteroscopy, underwent capsule endoscopy followed by intraoperative enteroscopy. RESULTS: Capsule endoscopy identified lesions in 100% of the patients with ongoing overt bleeding, 67% of the patients with previous overt bleeding, and 67% of the patients with obscure-occult bleeding. Angiectasias were the most common source of bleeding (n = 22). Capsule endoscopy showed the source of bleeding in 74.4% of all patients. The method was more effective in patients with ongoing bleeding. Compared with intraoperative enteroscopy sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of capsule endoscopy were 95%, 75%, 95%, and 86%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Capsule endoscopy has high sensitivity and specificity to detect a bleeding source in patients with obscure GI bleeding. Thus, wireless capsule endoscopy can be recommended as part of the routine work-up in patients with obscure GI bleeding.     

Negative video capsule enteroscopy – what's the next step?

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is a reliable noninvasive method for examination of small-bowel mucosa. However, it has some limitations. The aim of this article was to review the approach in patients with negative VCE. It is clear that a negative VCE should be interpreted based on the indication. In suspected small bowel bleeding (SSBB), patients with ongoing/recurrent overt bleeding, or occult bleeders who experience significant declines in hemoglobin after a negative VCE should proceed small bowel study; on the other hand, patients with occult SSBB and only mild-moderate anemia should be managed with supportive care. In inflammatory bowel disease, a normal VCE has a very high sensitivity and negative predictive value. In small bowel tumor suspicion there is a high risk of false negative results, so another imaging modality should be considered. In polyposis syndromes, if VCE is negative, patients should continue screening within 2–3 years.     

国产OMOM胶囊内镜对消化道疾病的诊断价值

目的探讨国产OMOM胶囊内镜在消化道疾病,特别是小肠疾病中的诊断价值。方法总结分析我院2008年1月至2009年5月应用国产OMOM胶囊内镜检查59例患者,所有患者均经胃镜、结肠镜、腹部彩超等检查未发现可解释疾病的原因,其中出血组13例,腹痛组46例。采用甘露醇行肠道准备。结果59例中检查出小肠疾病26例。OMOM胶囊内镜性能稳定,图像清晰,摄像胶囊所携带的电池一般能满足对全小肠的观察。胶囊内镜在胃内通过时间9min～149min,胃内平均滞留时间44min,小肠通过时间83min～398min,小肠平均通过时间195min。有3例胶囊滞瘤体内,未出现其他不良反应。结论国产OMOM胶囊内镜对小肠疾病的诊断阳性率高,安全无痛苦,具有较好的临床诊断价值,尤其适用于不明原因消化道出血的患者。     

Diagnostic yield and clinical outcomes of capsule endoscopy

BACKGROUND: Capsule endoscopy is proving to be superior to push enteroscopy and barium contrast radiography for evaluation of the small bowel. However, its impact on clinical outcome has not been thoroughly investigated. This study assessed changes in therapy based on capsule endoscopy findings and on the impact of such changes on patient outcomes. METHODS: Forty-four consecutive capsule endoscopies in 43 patients were reviewed. Data were collected by systematic review of patient records and included indication, results of prior diagnostic tests, and capsule endoscopy findings. Specific interventions after capsule endoscopy and clinical outcome were noted. RESULTS: The indication for capsule endoscopy was obscure GI bleeding in 40 patients, iron deficiency anemia in one, and right lower quadrant abdominal pain in two patients. Overall diagnostic yield was 42% (18/43 patients). Diagnostic findings included angiodysplasias (n = 13), intestinal ulcers (n = 2), Crohn's disease (n = 2), and mass lesion (n = 1). As a result of the capsule endoscopy findings, a specific intervention was implemented in 12 of 18 patients with positive findings. These included endoscopy with coagulation (n = 5), laparotomy (n = 2), pharmacotherapy (n = 4), and discontinuation of medication (n = 1). At a mean follow-up of 6.7 months, the clinical outcome was considered positive in 7 of 43 patients (16%). CONCLUSIONS: Although it has a high diagnostic yield, capsule endoscopy has a positive influence on clinical outcome in a relatively small proportion of patients. Larger studies are needed that assess the influence of capsule endoscopy on clinical outcomes.     

Wireless capsule endoscopy: a comparison with push enteroscopy in patients with gastroscopy and colonoscopy negative gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND: The development of wireless capsule endoscopy allows painless imaging of the small intestine. Its clinical use is not yet defined. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy and technical performance of capsule endoscopy and push enteroscopy in a series of 50 patients with colonoscopy and gastroscopy negative gastrointestinal bleeding. METHODS: A wireless capsule endoscope was used containing a CMOS colour video imager, transmitter, and batteries. Approximately 50,000 transmitted images are received by eight abdominal aerials and stored on a portable solid state recorder, which is carried on a belt. Push enteroscopy was performed using a 240 cm Olympus video enteroscope. RESULTS: Studies in 14 healthy volunteers gave information on normal anatomical appearances and preparation. In 50 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding and negative colonoscopy and gastroscopy, push enteroscopy was compared with capsule endoscopy. A bleeding source was discovered in the small intestine in 34 of 50 patients (68%). These included angiodysplasia (16), focal fresh bleeding (eight), apthous ulceration suggestive of Crohn's disease (three), tumour (two), Meckel's diverticulum (two), ileal ulcer (one), jejunitis (one), and ulcer due to intussusception (one). One additional intestinal diagnosis was made by enteroscopy. The yield of push enteroscopy in evaluating obscure bleeding was 32% (16/50). The capsule identified significantly more small intestinal bleeding sources than push enteroscopy (p<0.05). Patients preferred capsule endoscopy to push enteroscopy (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study capsule endoscopy was superior to push enteroscopy in the diagnosis of recurrent bleeding in patients who had a negative gastroscopy and colonoscopy. It was safe and well tolerated.     

Small bowel capsule endoscopy in 2007： Indications, risks and limitations

Capsule endoscopy has revoluzionized the study of the small bowel by providing a reliable method to evaluate, endoscopically, the entire small bowel. In the last six years several papers have been published exploring the possible role of this examination in different clinical conditions. At the present time capsule endoscopy is generally recommended as a third examination, after negative bidirectional endoscopy, in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. A growing body of evidence suggests also an important role for this examination in other clinical conditions such as Crohn＇s disease, celiac disease, small bowel polyposis syndromes or small bowel tumors. The main complication of this examination is the retention of the device at the site of a previously unknown small bowel stricture. However there are also some other open issues mainly due to technical limitations of this tool （which is not driven from remote control, is unable to take biopsies, to insufflate air, to suck fluids or debris and sometimes to correctly size and locate lesions）.The recently developed double balloon enteroscope, owing to its capability to explore a large part of the small bowel and to take targeted biopsies, although being invasive and time consuming, can overcome some limitations of capsule endoscopy. At the present time, in the majority of clinical conditions （i.e. obscure GI bleeding）, the winning strategy seems to be to couple these two techniques to explore the small bowel in a painless, safe and complete way （with capsule endoscopy） and to define and treat the lesions identified （with double balloon enteroscopy）.     

Diagnostic Yield and Impact of Capsule Endoscopy on Management of Patients with Gastrointestinal Bleeding of Obscure Origin

This study assessed diagnostic yield and impact of capsule endoscopy on patient management. Seventy-five patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding were included. Clinical and followup information was collected by review of patient records and with personal contact with the referring physicians. All previous clinical information and interventions after capsule endoscopy and clinical outcome were noted. The indication was obscure-overt gastrointestinal bleeding in 36 patients (48%) and obscure-occult gastrointestinal bleeding in 39 patients (52%). Overall diagnostic yield was 66.7% considering relevant lesions. Followup was available in 31 patients. Capsule endoscopy changed clinical management in 61.4%. Multivariate analysis showed that patients with another potential source of bleeding and patients whose onset was hematochezia were not good candidates for capsule endoscopy. Capsule endoscopy has a high diagnostic yield and a positive influence on clinical management in a high proportion of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.     

Wireless capsule endoscopy: experience in a tropical country

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Capsule endoscopy is fast becoming the procedure of choice for small bowel imaging, especially to investigate the cause of unexplained gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. We report our experience with capsule endoscopy in 24 cases with various indications. METHODS: In patients with unexplained GI bleeding or chronic anemia, the cause could be established in nine of 12 cases (75%), which included angioectasiae, leiomyomata and parasitic infestation. RESULTS: The yield of capsule endoscopy was highest in patients presenting with chronic diarrhea and suspicion of small bowel mucosal disease, where Crohn's disease and tuberculosis could be diagnosed. However, in patients with unexplained abdominal pain, capsule endoscopy was found to be least useful because 5/7 patients in the study were normal, emphasizing the importance of case selection. Overall, capsule endoscopy yielded a positive diagnosis in 16 of the 24 cases (66.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The experience of capsule endoscopy in a tropical clinical setting is no different from elsewhere, although certain conditions like worm infestation are more likely to be detected in this environment.