Declining volume of gastrointestinal fluoroscopies: A survey of 18 hospitals

A survey of the volume of gastrointestinal fluoroscopies at 18 hospitals suggests a decline in the number of these examinations performed over the past 5 years. Data were acquired on 4 types of examinations: upper gastrointestinal series, small bowel studies, barium enemas (all types), and oral cholecystograms. Modest decreases of 8.4%, 10.3%, and 2.0% were noted in the numbers of upper gastrointestinal examinations, small bowel examinations, and barium enemas, respectively. A considerable deline of 45.9% was found in performance of oral cholecystograms. An overall decline of 14.4% was noted for all 4 examinations.     

Small bowel enteroclysis survey

A survey questionnaire was sent to 125 radiology programs to determine the frequency and indications for the use of small bowel enteroclysis. Sixty-seven of the 84 respondents perform small bowel enteroclysis while 17 do not. The 3 most common indications for enteroclysis are detection of unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding, partial small bowel obstruction, and Crohn's disease. We conclude that although small bowel enteroclysis is a well-established examination, there are wide differences in the frequency with which it is performed, the techniques of examination, and indications for its use.     

107例小儿消化道出血胃镜检查结果分析

目的：了解不同年龄组消化道出血的病因和合理的胃镜检查时间。方法：对107例临床疑似上消化道出血的患儿进行纤维胃镜检查。结果：确诊为上消化道出血的79例（十二指肠溃疡61例,胃溃疡7例,食道静脉曲张3例,食管炎1例,贲门粘膜撕裂症3例,十二指肠憩室2例,脑疝2例）,小肠出血6例（3例小肠憩室、2例克隆氏病,1例小肠结核） ,咽血综合症3例,未检查出病因19例。结论：十二指肠球部溃疡、胃溃疡是年龄较大儿童消化道出血最常见的原因,先天性消化道畸形是婴幼儿消化道出血的另一个重要原因,患儿在出血48h内纤维胃镜检查阳性率最高,小儿上消化道出血急症胃镜检查是一种快速、准确、较安全的检查方法。     

胶囊内镜对86例患者小肠疾病的诊断分析

目的：分析评价胶囊内镜对小肠疾病的诊断价值。方法：对86例怀疑有小肠疾病的患者行胶囊内镜检查,并分析检查结果。结果：共检出小肠病变48例（55.8%）。其中小肠血管发育异常17例,小肠绒毛萎缩10例,小肠息肉5例,小肠溃疡3例,小肠炎症8例,小肠隆起性病变2例,小肠钩虫病1例,疑似炎症性肠病1例,末端回肠炎症伴回盲部占位1例。不明原因消化道出血23例中,检查出小肠病变19例,阳性率82.6%,其中小肠血管发育异常或伴活动性出血11例,小肠溃疡3例,钩虫病1例,小肠息肉3例,小肠多发隆起灶1例。胶囊内镜正常电池范围内对小肠检查情况：86例中有14例未能完成抵达回盲部,占16.3%。但其中10例已经发现小肠病变。结论：胶囊内镜对小肠疾病诊断率高,尤其适用于不明原因的消化道出血患者。     

Detecting a small bowel tumor via wireless capsule endoscopy: a clinical case study.

Tumors of the small intestine account for fewer than 5% of gastrointestinal neoplasms. Approximately 20% of small bowel neoplasms are gastrointestinal stromal cell tumors, a spectrum of mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract that range from benign to highly malignant. Diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal cell tumors is usually incidental, given their rarity and the limitations of traditional endoscopy and radiology studies in visualizing the small intestine. The advent of wireless capsule endoscopy has improved the definitive diagnosis of small bowel disorders. This article outlines the course of diagnosis and treatment for a patient who presented to our hospital with severe anemia and demonstrates the role of capsule endoscopy in identifying the causes of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.     

Impact of the small bowel study on patient management

Medical records of 528 consecutive patients who had a peroral small bowel examination or enteroclysis were reviewed. Clinical indications, efficacy of the small bowel examinations, and patient outcome were correlated to determine the impact of the small bowel examination on patient management. The most frequent indications were abdominal pain (19%), diarrhea (15%), obstruction (12%), bleeding (11%), postsurgical evaluation (10%), and assessment of Crohn's disease (8%). Two thirds of the studies (67%) were normal, and 33% of the examinations were abnormal, with similar results in all age groups. Small bowel obstruction (13%), miscellaneous results primarily including diffuse small bowel diseases (7%), adhesions (6%), and Crohn's disease (5%) were the most common abnormalities detected. The effects of small bowel studies on patient management were exclusion of serious pathology (67%), diagnosis that changed therapy (32%), and incidental findings (1 %). Small bowel enteroclysis had a higher yield of positive examinations than the peroral small bowel examination, most likely due to patient selection.     

Non-small bowel lesion detection at small bowel capsule endoscopy: A comprehensive literature review

Small bowel capsule endoscopy is a minimally-invasive endoscopic investigation that is often used in clinical practice to investigate overt or occult gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding among other clinical indications. International guidance recommends small bowel capsule endoscopy as a first-line investigation to detect abnormalities in the small bowel, when gastroscopy and colonoscopy fail to identify a cause of GI bleeding. It can diagnose with accuracy abnormalities in the small bowel. However, there has been increasing evidence indicating that small bowel capsule endoscopy may also detect lesions outside the small intestine that are within the reach of conventional endoscopy and have been probably missed during prior endoscopic investigations. Such lesions vary from vascular deformities to malignancy and their detection often alters patient management, leading to further endoscopic and/or surgical interventions. The current study attempts to review all available studies in the literature and summarise their relevant findings.     

International digestive endoscopy network 2012: a patchwork of networks for the future

This special September issue of Clinical Endoscopy will discuss various aspects of diagnostic and therapeutic advancement of gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, explaining what is new in digestive endoscopy and why international network should be organized. We proposed an integrated model of international conference based on the putative occurrence of Digestive Endoscopy Networks. In International Digestive Endoscopy Network (IDEN) 2012, role of endoscopy in gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus, endoscopy beyond submucosa, endoscopic treatment for stricture and leakage in upper GI, how to estimate the invasion depth of early GI cancers, colonoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a look into the bowel beyond colon in IBD, management of complications in therapeutic colonoscopy, revival of endoscopic papllirary balloon dilation, evaluation and tissue acquisition for indeterminate biliopancreatic stricture, updates in the evaluation of pancreatic cystic lesions, issues for tailored endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), endoluminal stents, management of upper GI bleeding, endoscopic management of frustrating situations, small bowel exploration, colorectal ESD, valuable tips for frustrating situations in colonoscopy, choosing the right stents for endoscopic stenting of biliary strictures, advanced techniques for pancreaticobiliary visualization, endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliopancreatic drainage, and how we can overcome the obstacles were deeply touched. We hope that IDEN 2012, as the very prestigious endoscopy networks, served as an opportunity to gain some clues for further understanding of endoscopic technologies and to enhance up-and-coming knowledge and their clinical implications from selected 25 peer reviewed articles and 112 invited lectures.     

Capsule enteroscopy of the small intestine

The advent of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) in 2000 has dramatically changed the diagnosis and management of many diseases of the small intestine. In this review we discuss the procedure, the various indications and contraindications, adverse effects, and future prospects of VCE. VCE has a significant role in the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal hemorrhage and Crohn’s disease and has the highest diagnostic yield in comparison to other diagnostic modalities. Furthermore, VCE has gained an important role in the management and surveillance of suspected small bowel tumors and in patients with polyposis syndromes. Capsule enteroscopy may have a role in the work-up of symptomatic celiac disease and in the assessment of drug therapeutic efficacy and adverse small bowel effects. Although VCE is relatively non-invasive, it is contraindicated in patients with swallowing disorders, known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, strictures, or fistulas, and in patients with implanted electromedical devices. Other contraindications include pregnancy and children under 10. Capsule retention is the most feared complication of VCE with a frequency of 1%–2%. Risk factors and management of capsule retention are also discussed. It is probable that new indications for VCE will evolve and technological improvements will refine VCE’s diagnostic accuracy and simplify video reviewing.     

Acupuncture for gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders

Acupuncture has been used for various gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. Voluminous data support the effect of acupuncture on the physiology of the GI tract, including acid secretion, motility, neurohormonal changes, and changes in sensory thresholds. Much of the neuroanatomic pathway of these effects has been identified in animal models. A large body of clinical evidence supports the effectiveness of acupuncture for suppressing nausea associated with chemotherapy, postoperative state, and pregnancy. Prospective randomized controlled trials have also shown the efficacy of acupuncture for analgesia for endoscopic procedures, including colonoscopy and upper endoscopy. Acupuncture has also been used for a variety of other conditions including postoperative ileus, achalasia, peptic ulcer disease, functional bowel diseases (including irritable bowel syndrome and nonulcer dyspepsia), diarrhea, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, expulsion of gallstones and biliary ascariasis, and pain associated with pancreatitis. Although there are few prospective randomized clinical studies, the well-documented physiological basis of acupuncture effects on the GI tract, and the extensive history of successful clinical use of acupuncture, makes this a promising modality that warrants further investigation.     

Value of CT in localizing site of gastrointestinal hemorrhage following negative angiography

This case report of severe gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding demonstrates the utility of computed tomography (CT) in localizing such hemorrhages when all other diagnostic modalities have been exhausted. All previous studies in this case were nondiagnostic. However, abdominal CT performed without the benefit of oral contrast but immediately following negative angiography was useful in directing the surgeon to the region of hemorrhage by documenting the presence of focally dense intraluminal contrast within the small bowel loops.     

Endoscopically assisted video capsule endoscopy of the small bowel in patients with functional gastric outlet obstruction

Since the introduction in 2001 of M2A video capsule imaging of the small bowel in humans, this technique has been used increasingly in patients with disorders of the small bowel. In particular the assessment of small obscure gastrointestinal bleeding sources and the detection of shallow inflammatory lesions in the small bowel, have been greatly facilitated by this novel imaging procedure. We report two cases of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, in whom normal passage of the capsule through the antroduodenal junction was inhibited. This was because of delayed gastric emptying in both patients, which was presumably caused by functional impairment of pyloric motility. To facilitate capsule transport into the small bowel, after swallowing the capsule each patient underwent unsedated upper gastrointestinal endoscopy during which the capsule was grasped with a polypectomy snare, directly transported through the pylorus, and finally released upon arrival in the second portion of the duodenum. Capsule recordings revealed the source of bleeding in both patients and their medical or surgical treatment was subsequently escalated. Capsule imaging of the small bowel facilitated by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is safe, and can be applied when patients have functional disorders of pyloric motility.     

Small bowel ulcer bleeding due to suspected clopidogrel use in a patient with clopidogrel resistance: A case report

BACKGROUNDClopidogrel is a platelet aggregation inhibitor used for the management of cardiovascular disease. While antiplatelet therapy decreases cardiovascular events after successful coronary drug-eluting stenting, it increases the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. About 20% of the patients who take clopidogrel exhibit resistance to the drug.CASE SUMMARYWe report the first case of a small bowel bleeding ulcer in an 86-year-old man with clopidogrel resistance. He had a history of taking clopidogrel due to unstable angina. There was no evidence of bleeding in the stomach, duodenum, or colon through upper and lower GI endoscopies. The abdominal computed tomography showed the extravasation of radiocontrast media at the ileum. Because of unstable vital signs, emergency surgery was performed. Multiple ulcers with inflammation were found in the ileum. The pathologic findings revealed simple inflammation. The VerifyNow P2Y12 test showed clopidogrel resistance. One year after changing to aspirin, capsule endoscopy was performed and the small bowel ulcers were improved.CONCLUSIONSmall bowel ulcers and bleeding due to clopidogrel are not very common, but the prevalence is expected to increase in older age patients with risk factors despite clopidogrel resistance.     

The yield of capsule endoscopy in patients with abdominal pain or diarrhea

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Capsule endoscopy, proven effective for evaluation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and suspected Crohn's disease, is increasingly used to investigate other small-intestine disorders, but its yield for other indications is not well known. We sought to evaluate its yield and findings for abdominal pain or diarrhea. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients with abdominal pain or diarrhea (> 6 weeks' duration) who underwent capsule endoscopy between August 2001 and June 2004 were retrospectively reviewed for demographic data, indications, findings, diagnoses, complications, and radiologic studies. All patients had previous endoscopic or radiologic examinations (colonoscopy, enteroscopy, upper endoscopy, small-bowel series, computed tomography enterography, or computed tomography) demonstrating no abnormalities sufficient for diagnosis. RESULTS: 64 patients (26 men; 38 women; mean age, 43 years; age range, 19 - 83 years) who met study criteria had 68 capsule endoscopy studies. Indications were abdominal pain (35 patients), diarrhea (14), or both (15). Complete small-bowel visualization with identification of the cecum was achieved in 81 %; yield of positive findings was 9 % (6 patients). By indications, the yield was 6 % for abdominal pain, 14 % for diarrhea, and 13 % for both. Diagnoses included Crohn's disease (3), enteropathy induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (2), and submucosal tumor (1). Capsule retention occurred in two patients, requiring surgical removal. CONCLUSIONS: Capsule endoscopy had a low yield for evaluation of abdominal pain or diarrhea and cannot be recommended as a first-line test without further study. Nonetheless, it facilitated diagnosis in 9 % of patients with negative endoscopic and radiologic examinations.     

Push enteroscopy in the investigation of small-intestinal disease

We report our experience with small-bowel push enteroscopy in 50 patients. The indications for push enteroscopy were: anaemia/occult gastrointestinal bleeding (22 patients); overt gastrointestinal bleeding (17 patients); abnormal small-bowel radiology (8 patients) and miscellaneous (3 patients). In those with undiagnosed gastrointestinal bleeding/anaemia, abnormalities were detected in 24/39 patients (62%): small bowel arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were detected in 19 (49%), and five (13%) had lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Seventeen patients had heater-probe ablation therapy of vascular lesions: nine patients had small-intestinal lesions, four patients gastric lesions, and four patients combined gastric and small- intestinal lesions. In those with abnormal small-bowel radiology, abnormalities were detected in 6/8 patients. We conclude that (i) push enteroscopy can establish a diagnosis in a high proportion of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding; (ii) heater-probe ablation therapy of vascular lesions can be performed routinely at the time of enteroscopy; (iii) a significant proportion of patients (9/50) referred for enteroscopy with undiagnosed gastrointestinal bleeding have lesions in the stomach/proximal duodenum missed at diagnostic endoscopy. Push enteroscopy is a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedure.      

Ultrasonographic findings correspond to clinical, endoscopic, and histologic findings in inflammatory bowel disease and other enterocolitides.

OBJECTIVE: To compare results obtained by abdominal ultrasonography with clinical findings, including endoscopic and histologic findings, to evaluate the location and activity of inflammatory bowel disease, including disease controls in children. METHODS: Ninety-two ultrasonographic scans and 41 colonoscopic examinations with biopsies were performed in 78 patients (1 month to 17.8 years of age) with Crohn's disease (n = 26), ulcerative colitis (n = 21), inflammatory bowel disease of indeterminate type (n = 2), and disease controls (other intestinal disorders, including infectious and ischemic lesions; n = 29). Laboratory parameters for inflammatory bowel disease were determined, and disease activity was assessed by a combination of clinical and laboratory data. Bowel wall thickness and echo texture were recorded in a standardized way by ultrasonography and compared with endoscopic and histologic findings in a segment-by-segment comparison. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in detecting patients with severe macroscopic lesions depicted on endoscopy were 77% and 83%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in detecting patients with severe histologic inflammation were 75% and 82%. There was a statistically significant correlation between maximal bowel wall thickness and disease activity score (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal ultrasonography may be helpful in evaluating the location, severity, and inflammatory activity of inflammatory bowel disease in children and young adults.     

Small bowel capsule endoscopy: a systematic review

Wireless capsule endoscopy offers a revolutionary diagnostic tool for small bowel diseases. Since its formal introduction, it has become an integral part of the diagnostic evaluation for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. This relatively noninvasive imaging modality offered by small bowel capsule endoscopy is appealing to both patients and providers and consequently, the desire to expand its diagnostic role continues to grow. The use of CE in the diagnosis of Crohn disease and chronic diarrhea is being further investigated, as is the potential of employing this technique as a cancer surveillance mechanism in patients with hereditary polyposis syndromes which may involve the small bowel. This review article discusses the current indications for small bowel capsule endoscopy, the results of capsule endoscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and small bowel diseases, and patient outcomes following capsule endoscopy. Capsule endoscopy is compared with traditional diagnostic modalities, including small bowel series, enteroclysis, CT, and push enteroscopy. Small bowel capsule endoscopy is the procedure of choice to evaluate obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, and is superior to radiographic procedures in detecting Crohn disease of the small bowel.     

胶囊内镜对小肠疾病的诊断价值

目的：探讨胶囊内镜诊断小肠疾病的应用价值。方法：分析总结25例怀疑小肠疾病患者行Given胶囊内镜检查的临床资料。结果：25例受检者中发现小肠息肉3例,小肠血管畸形5例（其中并出血2例）,小肠克罗恩病1例,小肠炎症8例,回肠憩室1例,小肠钩虫病1例,阴性6例,小肠病变检出率为76％;同时检出胃溃疡1例,结肠溃疡1例。胶囊内镜平均检查时间为473min,平均排出时间为2．3d。结论：胶囊内镜检查操作简单、安全无创伤,尤其适用于年老体弱或不能耐受有创性检查的患者。对不明原因消化道出血或腹痛患者具有较高的诊断价值,可以作为小肠疾病首选检查方法。     

Current status of small bowel radiography

Background: In the past, small bowel examinations were usually ordered for the sake of ``completeness.' As a result, small bowel radiography was performed casually and without attention to detail. This review examines pertinent clinical issues and the recent contribution of small bowel radiography to the evaluation and management of the patient with suspected small bowel disease. Recommendations for the clinical utilization of small bowel radiography are discussed. Methods: Analysis of pertinent citations addressing valid indications for, and technique of, small bowel radiography from 1980 to July 1995 through a computerized bibliographic search (Medline and Current Contents). Results: Accepted clinical indications for small bowel radiography include (1) unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding, (2) possible small bowel tumor, (3) small bowel obstruction, (4) Crohn disease, and (5) malabsorption. The current literature reflects the limitations of the conventional small bowel follow-through, various modifications to improve its clinical yield, the important contribution of enteroclysis in the workup, and subsequent management of patients with possible small bowel disease. A controversy in the radiology literature exists as to whether to use the small bowel follow-through or enteroclysis as the primary method of examining the small bowel. Conclusion: The thoughtful selection of patients by clinicians for small bowel radiography is essential to make radiologic evaluation cost effective. The incidence of disease of the small intestine is low and is associated with nonspecific symptoms. Because of the inherent difficulty of visualizing numerous loops of an actively peristalsing bowel, a reliable imaging method is needed that not only detects small or early structural abnormality but also accurately documents normalcy. The yield of information provided by enteroclysis and its high negative predictive value suggests that it should be the primary method for small bowel examination. The ``overhead'-based conventional small bowel follow-through should be abandoned. The ``fluoroscopy'-based small bowel follow-through augmented when necessary by the peroral pneumocolon or the gas-enhanced double-contrast follow-through method is an acceptable alternative when enteroclysis is not possible. Received: 0/0/00Accepted: 0/0/00     

Is there any food I can eat? Living with inflammatory bowel disease and/or irritable bowel syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) and irritable bowel syndrome are chronic, debilitating gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. There are no known causes of inflammatory bowel disease and/or irritable bowel syndrome. Both of these GI conditions significantly impair quality of life and the ability to complete activities of daily living. Unfortunately, there has been little education and research surrounding the evaluation of effective coping strategies with respect to GI disorders, particularly from the perspective of those diagnosed. As such, exploring the strategies of individuals with GI disorders would provide information concerning coping strategies from the perspective of those afflicted. PURPOSE: The overall objective of this research was to explore the lived experience of women who had been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and/or irritable bowel syndrome. This article specifically explores the relationship between food and irritable bowel syndrome and/or inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Eight females, diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and/or irritable bowel syndrome, were recruited via on-campus posters from a university in southern Ontario, Canada. Qualitative information was collected in the form of background questionnaires, e-mail interviews, and face-to-face interviews, which were subsequently analyzed for trends. RESULTS: Every woman reported that one of the most significant means by which to cope with their condition centered around food consumption or controlling their food consumption. Subjects identified the importance of determining their "trigger foods," selecting healthy food choices, the impact of stress, and problems associated with food and travel. CONCLUSIONS: This research, predicated on the narratives of women diagnosed with GI disorders, substantiates the profound effect that food has on conditions of the GI tract. All of the women identified their relationship with food as a dynamic learning process, one that they thought would be a lifelong struggle. The implications for community health nurses in assisting individuals with GI disorders are discussed.