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。     

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.     

胶囊内镜检查对双气囊小肠镜进镜方式选择的指导作用

目的:探讨胶囊内镜检查对双气囊小肠镜进镜方式选择的指导作用．方法:胶囊内镜检查阴性或可疑病变者20例行双气囊小肠镜检查(均在麻醉下进行),包括经口和经肛进镜方式．根据胶囊内镜时间指数 (胶囊内镜从幽门至病灶的通过时间／幽门至回盲瓣的通过时间)选择首次进镜方式,时间指数>0．50时首先考虑经肛进镜检查,对未发现异常者择期改换方式再行检查．分析按胶囊内镜时间指数选择双气囊小肠镜进镜方式的准确性．结果:胶囊内镜检查阴性者5例,行经口双气囊小肠镜检查,有1例在改为经肛检查后检出病灶．胶囊内镜检查怀疑小肠病变者15例,有 12例(80．0％)经双气囊小肠镜结合活检病理确诊．以时间指数>0．50为标准,4例(分别为0．99, 0．8,0．65和0．59)首选经肛进镜检查,后二者(时间指数分别为0．65和0．59)需换从口侧进镜检查而检出病灶;如以时间指数>0．75为标准,该 2例不再需要改换方式再行检查,另2例病变部位被判断为回肠远端,经肛进镜即可准确到达病灶．结论:胶囊内镜检查可指导对双气囊小肠镜进镜方式的选择,时间指数>0．75提示首选经肛进镜检查．     

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.     

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.     

双气囊小肠镜对不明原因消化道出血病因的诊断价值

目的探讨双气囊小肠镜(DBE)对不明原因消化道出血病因的诊断价值。方法对我院2005年12月-2009年4月156例因不明原因消化道出血的病人行DBE检查,并对检查结果进行分析。结果其中155例患者完成检查,发现可解释的小肠病变140例,病因诊断率约90%;出现DBE相关的高淀粉酶血症2例,胰腺炎1例,无麻醉相关的并发症。结论 DBE是目前小肠源性出血病因诊断中最有效的检查手段,具有较高的诊断价值;采用双侧进镜可提高正确诊断率。     

Balloon-assisted enteroscopy for suspected Meckel’s diverticulum and indefinite diagnostic imaging workup

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is estimated to affect 1%-2% of the general population, and it represents a clinically silent finding of a congenital anomaly in up to 85% of the cases. In adults, MD may cause symptoms, such as overt occult lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The diagnostic imaging workup includes computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging enterography, technetium 99m scintigraphy (99mTc) using either labeled red blood cells or pertechnetate (known as the Meckel’s scan) and angiography. The preoperative detection rate of MD in adults is low, and many patients ultimately undergo exploratory laparoscopy. More recently, however, endoscopic identification of MD has been possible with the use of balloon-assisted enteroscopy via direct luminal access, which also provides visualization of the diverticular ostium. The aim of this study was to review the diagnosis by double-balloon enteroscopy of 4 adults with symptomatic MD but who had negative diagnostic imaging workups. These cases indicate that balloon-assisted enteroscopy is a valuable diagnostic method and should be considered in adult patients who have suspected MD and indefinite findings on diagnostic imaging workup, including negative Meckel’s scan.     

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.     

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.     

Inverted Meckel&rsquo;s diverticulum preoperatively diagnosed using double-balloon enteroscopy

An inverted Meckel’s diverticulum is a rare gastrointestinal congenital anomaly that is difficult to diagnose prior to surgery and presents with anemia, abdominal pain, or intussusception. Here, we report the case of 57-year-old men with an inverted Meckel’s diverticulum, who was preoperatively diagnosed using double-balloon enteroscopy. He had repeatedly experienced epigastric pain for 2 mo. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed intestinal wall thickening in the pelvis. Double-balloon enteroscopy via the anal route was performed for further examination, which demonstrated an approximately 8-cm, sausage-shaped, submucosal tumor located approximately 80 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. A small depressed erosion was observed at the tip of this lesion. Forceps biopsy revealed heterotopic gastric mucosa. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with an inverted Meckel’s diverticulum, and single-incision laparoscopic surgery was performed. This case suggests that an inverted Meckel’s diverticulum should be considered as a differential diagnosis for a submucosal tumor in the ileum. Balloon-assisted enteroscopy with forceps biopsy facilitate a precise diagnosis of this condition.     

The European experience with double-balloon enteroscopy: indications, methodology, safety, and clinical impact

BACKGROUND: Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a new technique that allows high-resolution visualization, biopsies, and therapeutic interventions in all segments of the GI tract. The objective of the study was to evaluate the indications, the safety, and the clinical impact of DBE. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis conducted at 4 European medical centers. A total of 62 patients with suspected or documented small-bowel diseases were investigated by DBE. A total of 89 procedures were performed (26 and 9 patients from the oral or the anal route, respectively; 27 patients from both). The main outcome measurements were complications, depth and time of insertion, diagnostics, and therapeutics rates. RESULTS: No complications occurred. Mean time was 70 +/- 30 minutes and 90 +/- 35 minutes from the oral and the anal route, respectively. Length of insertion was 254 +/- 174 cm beyond the pylorus, 180 +/- 150 cm beyond the ileocecal valve, whereas the entire small bowel was completely explored in 10 patients. DBE was diagnostic in 80% of the patients: in 29 of 33 of patients with GI bleeding, in one of 5 patients with iron deficiency anemia and positive fecal occult blood testing, in 3 of 5 patients with chronic diarrhea, in two of 3 patients with abdominal pain, in two of 3 patients with GI cancer (follow-up), in all patients with suspected or refractory celiac disease, and in two of 3 patients with Crohn's disease. Treatment was performed in 41.9% of patients (22 polyps and 29 angioectesias). CONCLUSIONS: DBE is a safe and feasible diagnostic and therapeutic tool for suspected or documented small-bowel diseases. At present, the best candidates for the procedure appear to be those with obscure GI bleeding.     

Application of double-balloon enteroscopy in jejunal diverticular bleeding

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic diagnosis and therapy for jejunal diverticular bleeding.METHODS:From January 2004 to September 2009,154 patients underwent double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.Ten consecutive patients with jejunal diverticula (5 males and 5 females) at the age of 68.7 ± 2.1 years (range 1995 years) at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital,Academic Tertiary Referral Center,were enrolled in this study.RESULTS:Of the 10 patients,5 had melena,2 had hematochezi...     

双气囊小肠镜与胶囊内镜诊断小肠出血病因比较

目的比较双气囊小肠镜和胶囊内镜在小肠出血中的诊断准确率和实用价值。方法24例原因不明的可疑小肠出血患者分别接受双气囊小肠镜和胶囊内镜检查。双气囊小肠镜首选进镜方式分为经口或经肛2种，首选方式检查后未发现病灶者，日后改换进镜方式再行检查。胶囊内镜采用以色列GIVEN公司产品。2种检查方法分别由专门医师独立操作并诊断，最后进行汇总比较。结果24例患者中21例通过小肠镜检查发现病灶，总检出率为87．5％。24例患者行胶囊内镜检查后，有阳性发现者11例(45．8％)，另13例无异常发现。双气囊小肠镜检查发现的阳性病灶均经活检病理和手术探查证实，其病因诊断准确率为87．5％，胶囊内镜诊断准确率为25％。在耐受性评估方面，胶囊内镜和全麻下经口进镜的耐受性最佳，以后依次为非麻醉经肛方式和非麻醉经口方式。所有小肠镜和胶囊内镜检查者中未见操作相关的严重不良反应。结论①经口和经肛方式结合能使双气囊小肠镜完成对全小肠的检查。②双气囊小肠镜在不明原因小肠出血的病因诊断方面明显优于胶囊内镜检查。③胶囊内镜在小肠多节段病变和长段病变的诊断上仍有一定价值。④胶囊内镜和全麻下经口双气囊小肠镜检查是一项易为患者接受的、安全的检查方法。     

A pedunculated polyp-shaped small-bowel lymphangioma causing gastrointestinal bleeding and treated by double-balloon enteroscopy

We report a rare case of a small-bowel lymphangioma causing massive gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding that we successfully diagnosed and treated using double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE). An 81-year-old woman suffering from repeated GI bleeding of unknown origin underwent a capsule endoscopy at a previous hospital. She was suspected of having bleeding from the jejunum, and was referred to our department for diagnosis and treatment. An oral DBE revealed a 20 mm × 10 mm, regularly surfaced, white to yellowish, elongated, pedunculated jejunal polyp with small erosions at 10 cm distal to the ligament of Treiz. Since no other source of bleeding was identified by endoscopy in the deep jejunum, an endoscopic polypectomy (EP) was performed for this lesion. A subsequent histopathological examination of the resected polyp showed clusters of lymphatic vessels with marked cystic dilatation in the submucosa and the deep layer of the lamina propria mucosae. These characteristics are consistent with the typical features of small-bowel lymphangioma with erosions. Although clipping hemostasis was performed during EP, re-bleeding occurred. Finally, a complete hemostasis was achieved by performing an additional argon plasma coagulation.     

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.     

Inverted Meckel's diverticulum preoperatively diagnosed using double-balloon enteroscopy

An inverted Meckel's diverticulum is a rare gastrointestinal congenital anomaly that is difficult to diagnose prior to surgery and presents with anemia, abdominal pain, or intussusception. Here, we report the case of 57-year-old men with an inverted Meckel's diverticulum, who was preoperatively diagnosed using doubleballoon enteroscopy. He had repeatedly experienced epigastric pain for 2 mo. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed intestinal wall thickening in the pelvis. Double-balloon enteroscopy via the anal route was performed for further examination, which demonstrated an approximately 8-cm, sausage-shaped, submucosal tumor located approximately 80 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. A small depressed erosion was observed at the tip of this lesion. Forceps biopsy revealed heterotopic gastric mucosa. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with an inverted Meckel's diverticulum, and single-incision laparoscopic surgery was performed. This case suggests that an inverted Meckel's diverticulum should be considered as a differential diagnosis for a submucosal tumor in the ileum. Balloon-assisted enteroscopy with forceps biopsy facilitate a precise diagnosis of this condition.     

A meta-analysis of the yield of capsule endoscopy compared to double-balloon enteroscopy in patients with small bowel diseases

AIM To compare the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy(CE) with that of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE).METHODS Pubmed, Embase, Elsevier ScienceDirect,the China Academic Journals Full-text Database, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched for the trials comparing the yield of CE with that of DBE.Outcome measure was odds ratio (OR) of the yield. Fixed or random model method was used for data analysis.RESULTS Eight studies (n = 277) which prospectively compared the yield of CE and DBE were collected. The results of meta-analysis indicated that there was no difference between the yield of CE and DBE [170/277 vs 156/277, OR 1.21 (95% CI 0.64-2.29)]. Based on sub analysis, the yield of CE was significantly higher than that of double-balloon enteroscopy without combination of oral and anal insertion approaches [137/219 vs 110/219, OR 1.67 (95% CI 1.14-2.44), P ＜ 0.01), but not superior to the yield of DBE with combination of the two insertion approaches [26/48 vs 37/48, OR 0.33 (95% CI 0.05-2.21), P ＞ 0.05)]. A focused meta-analysis of the fully published articles concerning obscure GI bleeding was also performed and showed similar results wherein the yield of CE was significantly higher than that of DBE without combination of oral and anal insertion approaches [118/191 vs 96/191, fixed model OR 1.61(95% CI 1.07-2.43), P ＜0.05)] and the yield of CE was significantly lower than that of DBE by oral and anal combinatory approaches [11/24 vs 21/24, fixed modelOR 0.12 (95% CI 0.03-0.52), P ＜ 0.01)].CONCLUSION With combination of oral and anal approaches, the yield of DBE might be at least as high as that of CE. Decisions made regarding the initial approach should depend on patient's physical status, technology availability, patient's preferences, and potential for therapeutic endoscopy.     

Total peroral intraoperative enteroscopy for obscure GI bleeding using a dedicated push enteroscope: diagnostic yield and patient outcome.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative enteroscopy is an effective diagnostic and therapeutic method in selected patients with obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The passage of a colonoscope orally and then rectally or the use of multiple enterotomies, has been used to completely inspect the small bowel. However, the development of dedicated enteroscopes allows complete inspection using the peroral route. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic yield, patient outcome, and success in reaching the terminal ileum using a video enteroscope passed orally during intraoperative enteroscopy. METHODS: The hospital charts of 12 patients who underwent intraoperative enteroscopy for GI bleeding of obscure origin and 2 patients with a known source (angioectasias) who underwent evaluation to determine extent were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The terminal ileum was reached in 13 of 14 patients (jejunal stricture in 1 patient). Of the patients with bleeding of obscure origin (n = 12) a source was identified in 7 (angioectasias 4, lymphoma 1, carcinoid 1, nevuslike lesion 1). Surgical therapy was performed in these 7 patients and resulted in no further bleeding in 5. Bleeding recurred in 4 of the 5 patients who had no source identified during intraoperative enteroscopy. Of the 2 patients undergoing intraoperative enteroscopy to evaluate extent of angioectasias, additional angioectasias were found in 1 patient; both patients underwent surgical resection, and 1 patient had recurrent bleeding. Complications included serosal tears, 3 (2 requiring resection); avulsion of superior mesenteric vein, 1; postoperative congestive heart failure, 2; azotemia, 1; and prolonged ileus, 1. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The terminal ileum was reached 93% of the time with intraoperative enteroscopy. For patients with GI bleeding of obscure origin the diagnostic yield of intraoperative enteroscopy was 58%. Major operative morbidity occurred in 4 patients.     

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.     

Non-small-bowel lesions encountered during double-balloon enteroscopy performed for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

AIM:To report the incidence of non-small-bowel bleeding pathologies encountered during double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) procedures and to analyse their significance.METHODS: A retrospective study of a prospective DBE database conducted in a tertiary-referral center was conducted. A total of 179 patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) referred for DBE from June 2004 to November 2008 were analysed looking for the incidence of non-small-bowel lesions (NSBLs; all and newly diagnosed) encountered ...