The Clinical Utility of Wireless Capsule Endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy is a new method of assessing small bowel disease. Current literature has identified a role in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and evidence for its use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease is increasing. Use in other settings such as surveillance of polyposis syndromes and assessment of patients with abdominal pain has been proposed. The available literature covering the clinical use of capsule endoscopy is reviewed and avenues of further study are suggested.     

Wireless capsule endoscopy: Perspectives beyond gastrointestinal bleeding

Wireless capsule endoscopy (CE) is a technology developed for the endoscopic exploration of the small bowel. The first capsule model was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2001, and its first and essential indication was occult gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Over subsequent years, this technology has been refined to provide superior resolution, increased battery life, and capabilities to view different parts of the GI tract. Indeed, cases for which CE proved useful have increased significantly over the last few years, with new indications for the small bowel and technical improvements that have expanded its use to other parts of the GI tract, including the esophagus and colon. The main challenges in the development of CE are new devices with the ability to provide therapy, air inflation for a better vision of the small bowel, biopsy sampling systems attached to the capsule and the possibility to guide and move the capsule with an external motion control. In this article we review the current and new indications of CE, and the evolving technological changes shaping this technology, which has a promising potential in the coming future of gastroenterology.     

胶囊内镜检查22例分析

目的探讨胶囊内镜对消化道疾病的诊断价值，观察胶囊内镜检查的顺应性和安全性。方法2005年1月至12月，对22例受检者进行了胶囊内镜检查，分析其临床资料。结果22例中发现小肠病变18例（81．8％），包括血管畸形3例，脂肪瘤1例，克罗恩病1例，息肉4例，口疮样小溃疡3例，非特异性炎症7例，其中，6例患者同时存在2种病变。检出慢性浅表性胃炎16例，胆汁反流性胃炎3例，糜烂性胃炎1例，胃息肉1例，结肠息肉2例。所获取的图像质量良好。胶囊胃内运行平均时间为56min（10—183min），小肠内平均运行时间为278min（93-441min），平均到达盲肠时间为338min（184-496min），平均记录时间为502min（392-510min），平均获取照片数为60240张，胶囊平均排出体外时间为34h（10-72h）。受检者顺应性良好，无任何并发症发生．结论胶囊内镜是对小肠疾病具有较高的检出能力，对胃和结肠也有一定的诊断价值。其安全性高、顺应性好     

Wireless Capsule Endoscopy Indication as a Predictor of Study Quality

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess whether specific indications are associated with poor visualization during wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) studies . Four hundred consecutive WCE studies performed at our institute were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Data was available on cases involving 176 males and 224 females. About 23 capsules failed to exit the stomach (excluded from the study). Poor visualization was reported in 66 (17%) WCE studies. The most common indications were gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss (271 cases; 72%), abdominal pain and/or diarrhea (73 cases; 19%), and suspected inflammatory bowel disease (46 cases; 12%). Of the 271 patients suffering GI bleeding, visualization was reported to be poor in 53 (19%) patients; among those showing other indications, visualization was poor in 13 (11%) patients (P = 0.02). After controlling for secondary indications and age, GI bleeding was associated with a higher rate of poor visualization compared to all other indications (odds ratio 2.6; 95% confidence interval 1.4-6.8). CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal bleeding as study indication for WCE is associated with a higher rate of poor visualization.     

Blue Mode Imaging may Improve the Detection and Visualization of Small-Bowel Lesions: A Capsule Endoscopy Study

Background/Aims:Diagnostic miss rate and time consumption are the two challenging limitations of small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE). In this study, we aimed to know whether using of the blue mode (BM) combined with QuickView (QV) at a high reviewing speed could influence SBCE interpretation and accuracy.Results:In study A, the total number of the vascular (P < 0.001) and the inflammatory lesions (P = 0.005) detected by BM was significantly higher than that detected by the white light. No lesion was found using the white light that was not detected by the BM. Moreover, the BM highly improved the image quality of all the vascular lesions and the erythematous ones from the nonvascular lesions. In study B, the total number of only the vascular lesions, detected by the BM on a rapid speed of viewing at 20 fps was significantly higher than that detected by the white light (P = 0.035). However, the true miss rate for the BM was 4%.Conclusion:BM imaging is a new method that improved the detection and visualization of the vascular and erythematous nonvascular lesions of SB as compared with the conventional white light imaging. Using of the BM at a slow viewing speed, markedly reduced the diagnostic miss rate of CE.     

Wireless capsule endoscopy

Wireless capsule endoscopy is a new technique that allows complete exploration of the small bowel without exlemal wires. Its role has been analyzed in many small bowel diseases such as obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn＇s disease and gastrointestinal polyposis syndromes with promising results. Studies on other pathologies （i.e. small bowel tumour, celiac disease） are under evaluation to define the role of this technique.     

Diagnosis of Suspected Small Bowel Bleeding by Capsule Endoscopy in Patients with COVID-19

The current study evaluated the application of small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients with suspected small bowel bleeding. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, SBCE procedures, examination results, and treatment for cases of suspected small bowel bleeding in two patients with critical COVID-19. SBCE showed active spotting bleeding in the jejunum and ileum with no identifiable lesions in case 1, while multiple small bowel ulcers were detected in case 2. Two patients had relevant changes in their management plans and received specific treatment based on SBCE findings. In summary, SBCE proved to be a non-invasive diagnostic tool for critical COVID-19 patients with suspected small bowel bleeding.     

Double-Balloon Enteroscopy and Small Bowel Tumors: A South-European Single-Center Experience

Small bowel tumors are rare, accounting for 1–2% of all gastrointestinal neoplasms. We sought to determine the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in patients with small bowel tumors. Between January 2005 and March 2008, 78 patients underwent 96 DBE. All nine patients (seven males; mean age 68 ± 11.3 years) with small bowel tumors were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical presentation was: mid-gastrointestinal bleeding or iron-deficient anemia (55.6%); abdominal pain (22.2%); nausea/vomiting and abdominal distension (22.2%). Five patients had abnormal findings in previous capsule endoscopy and four in previous radiologic examinations. Route of insertion was exclusively oral and abnormal lesions were detected in all patients (jejunum 8; ileum 1). Biopsies were taken in seven patients and provided definitive histological diagnosis in all except one. There were no complications of DBE. Surgical resection took place in eight patients. Final histologic diagnosis were: primary carcinoma (33.3%), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) (33.3%), malignant lymphoma (22.2%), and carcinoid tumor (11.1%). Mean follow-up time was 15.4 ± 12.7 months (range 2–34 months). Six patients were submitted to chemotherapy. Two patients died. Small bowel tumors are common in patients submitted to DBE. Given its safety and diagnostic capabilities, DBE should be considered the gold-standard method in the study of these neoplasms.     

Capsule endoscopy for patients with coeliac disease

Introduction: Coeliac disease is an autoimmune mediated condition in response to gluten. A combination of innate and adaptive immune responses results in villous shortening in the small bowel (SB) that can be morphologically picked up on capsule endoscopy. It is the only imaging modality that can provide mucosal views of the entire SB, while histology is generally limited to the proximal SB. Radiological modalities are not designed to pick up changes in villous morphology.

Areas covered: In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis on the justified use of small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) in the assessment of patients with coeliac disease; compare SBCE to histology, serology, and symptomatology; and provide an overview on automated quantitative analysis for the detection of coeliac disease. We also provide insight into future work on SBCE in relation to coeliac disease.

Expert commentary: SBCE has opened up new avenues for the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with coeliac disease. However, larger studies with new and established coeliac disease patients and with greater emphasis on morphological features on SBCE are required to better define the role of SBCE in the setting of coeliac disease.     

Capsule endoscopy: Future horizons

Capsule endoscopy (CE) was launched at the beginning of this millennium and has since become a well established methodology for evaluating the entire small bowel for manifold pathologies. CE far exceeded early expectations by providing a tool for establishing the correct diagnosis for elusive gastrointestinal (GI) conditions such as obscure GI bleeding, Crohn's disease, polyposis syndrome and others. Contemporary CE, like radiology, gives results that can only be read, unlike conventional endoscopic procedures which enable concomitant biopsy when indicated. This is one of the major limitations of the technique. The ideal CE should improve the quality of the image and have a faster frame rate than the currently available one. There should be a therapeutic capsule capable of performing a biopsy, aspirating fluid, delivering drugs as well as measuring the motility of the small bowel wall. Another major leap forward would be the capability of remote control of the capsule's movement in order to navigate it to reach designated anatomical areas for carrying out a variety of therapeutic options. Technology for improving the capability of the future generation capsule is almost within grasp and it would not be surprising to witness the realization of these giant steps within the coming decade.     

Visualization of the Small Intestine Using Capsule Endoscopy in Healthy Subjects

The actual extent of lumen visualized by capsule endoscopy has not been studied systematically. Volunteers were randomized to receive a bowel preparation (prep) consisting of an isotonic solution containing polyethylene glycol and simethicone. The prep (200 ml) was given 30 min before the capsule. The capsule was taken with 100 ml of prep and 100 ml of water; 100 ml of prep was given 45 and 75 min later. The control administration was 100 ml of water and no simethicone. Forty percent of all frames taken in the small bowel were examined and individually scored for circumference, bubbles, debris, and lighting. Nine volunteers were studied twice. Only 50% of the circumference is seen normally. The prep improved the circumference to 62.5% as well as decreasing luminal debris and bubbles and improving the lighting. We conclude that the prep solution improved small bowel visualization, however, improvements are still needed to optimize visualization.     

胶囊内镜的临床应用

目的 小肠疾病很难诊断，现有的诊断技术又不尽如人意，而胶囊内镜（M2A）能发现整个小肠内的微小病变，且为非侵入性，患者无需住院，因此，对胶囊内镜在小肠疾病诊断中的价值。依从性和安全性进行评估。方法 自2002年5月至9月，我们对经结肠镜，胃镜，X线钡餐造影，小肠钡灌造影，血管造影或核素扫描等检查未发现异常的15例疑患小肠疾病的患者，进行胶囊内镜检查，其中不明原因的消化道出血12例。结果 15例中发现病灶11例（73.3%)，包括血管发育不良，Dieulafoy病，毛细血管扩张征，静脉扩张，息肉样病变，黏膜下肿瘤，脂肪瘤，口疮样小溃疡（Aphthous ulcer)，克罗恩病类癌及出血性胃炎等，其中4例患者同时存在2种病灶，所获取的图像质量良好，胶囊停留于胃内的平均时间为82min(6-311min)，小肠内平均运行时间为248min(104-396min)，平均到达盲肠时间为336min(180-470min)，平均记录时间为449min(300-510min)，医师对胶囊内镜所传输图像的平均读片时间为82min(30-120min)，平均获取照片数为57919张，胶囊平均排出体外时间为33h(24-48h)，整个操作过程患者耐受性甚佳，无任何痛苦，吞咽胶囊无任何困难，检测过程中无任何并发症发生。结论 胶囊内镜是对小肠疾病具有诊断价值的医疗设备，其安全性高，依从性好。     

Abdominal Surgery Affects Small Bowel Transit Time and Completeness of Capsule Endoscopy

The aim of the study was to evaluate bowel dysmotility in patients with a history of abdominal surgery by measuring both gastric transit time and small bowel transit time during capsule endoscopy and assessing the completeness of the examination. The study included 26 patients who had undergone abdominal surgery (postoperative group) and 52 patients who had not (control group). The capsule reached the cecum in 50.0% of the postoperative group and 80.8% of the control group (P = 0.005). While there was no significant difference in gastric transit time between the two groups (P = 0.882), small bowel transit time was significantly longer in the postoperative group (338.3 ± 119.2 min) than in the control group (266.4 ± 110.8 min, P = 0.010). This is the first study to report that the small bowel transit time during capsule endoscopy is prolonged in patients who had a history of abdominal surgery, resulting in a lower frequency of complete examination.     

Adherence to European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommendations of endoscopists performing small bowel capsule endoscopy in Italy

BackgroundThe European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) has recently issued a technical review focused on small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE).AimTo compare SBCE current practice in Italy to ESGE technical recommendations.Material and methodsA dedicated per-centre semi-quantitative questionnaire was prepared by a group of SBCE experts. One-hundred-fifty Centres were invited to participate in the data collection concerning SBCEs performed between June 2016 and June 2017. Data were compared with ESGE recommendations.Results120 Centres participated in the data collection. Current practices agreed with ESGE recommendations in 56.3% (9/16) of the issues evaluated. Differences between ESGE recommendations and current practice concerned the management of patients with pacemakers or cardiac implantable defibrillators (which was in agreement with ESGE recommendations in 31.7% and 15.8% of Centres, respectively), the SBCE setting (only 51% of SBCEs were performed as outpatients procedures), the assessment of capsule excretion (timing and modality were in agreement with ESGE recommendation in 20.0% of Centres), and in the involvement of trained nurses or fellows in training as pre-readers (7/120; 5.8%).ConclusionsAlthough SBCE is widely used and largely available in Italy, there are still some technical, practical and organizational issues that can be modified to bridge the gap between current practice and ESGE guideline recommendations.     

Wireless capsule endoscopy and proximal small bowel lesions in Crohn��s disease

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of proximal small bowel (SB) lesions detected by wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) in Crohn’s disease (CD).METHODS: WCE was performed in 64 patients: 32 with CD of the distal ileum, and 32 controls with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) or diarrhea. WCE was performed using the Given SB-WCE, followed by small intestine contrast ultrasonography (SICUS). Findings compatible with CD by using WCE included erosions, aphthoid or deep ulcers, and strictures/stenosis.RESULTS: WCE detected proximal SB lesions in 16/32 (50%) patients (14 aphthoid ulcers, 2 deep ulcers, one stricture), which appeared not to be related to clinical parameters [epigastric pain, age, smoking, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), IDA]. Among patients with proximal SB lesions, 6 (37%) were smokers, 3 (19%) NSAID users, 3 (19%) had epigastric pain and 4 (25%) had IDA. SICUS detected proximal SB lesions in 3/32 patients (19%) also showing lesions with WCE. No correlations were observed between proximal SB lesions assessed by WCE or by SICUS (χ² = 1.5, P = 0.2).CONCLUSION: The use of WCE allows the detection of previously unknown upper SB lesions in a high proportion of patients with a previous diagnosis of CD involving the distal ileum.     

Training in video capsule endoscopy: Current status and unmet needs

Since its introduction to clinical practice nearly 20 years ago, wireless capsule endoscopy has revolutionized the landscape in the diagnosis and management of small bowel diseases. Over the past 10 years, capsule endoscopy has evolved beyond the small intestine and a range of capsules are now available to examine the esophagus, stomach and colon. Because of its ease of use, tolerability, paucity of complications and ability to visualize the entire gastrointestinal tract, capsule endoscopy has entered the mainstream of clinical practice. This review of the literature summarizes the current state of capsule training and highlights the limited data available to assess reader competence and standards expected of an independent practitioner. There are neither standardized teaching strategies nor national or international metrics for accreditation of physicians and nonphysicians interested in mastering this examination. Summating the few publications, there appears to be consensus that diagnostic expertise improves with experience, and that trainees should be fully supervised for at least 20 full case studies. Formative and summative assessment is advisable and the number of taught cases should not be the sole determinant of competence. The review also highlights differences in recommendations from major national gastroenterology societies. Finally, the authors discuss areas of unmet needs in teaching and learning for capsule endoscopy.