Capsule endoscopy: a review

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a novel technology that allows direct noninvasive visualization of the entire small intestine. CE permits a detailed examination in the ambulatory setting, allowing identification of clinically relevant lesions, and it is appealing to both patients and providers. There are two types of capsules that are currently commercially available: one specifically designed to view the small bowel and the other for the esophagus. Common indications for small bowel CE include obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, initial diagnosis of suspected Crohn's disease, and other small bowel pathology. The esophageal capsule is currently used to evaluate Barrett esophagus and esophageal varices. It is a well-tolerated procedure with relatively few complications. Although CE performance may be superior to existing technologies, its impact on clinical decision-making and patient outcomes are of even greater importance. Herein lies a review of the latest information on CE, its indications, complications, future utilities, and developing technology.     

Capsule endoscopy in gastrointestinal lymphomas

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a new procedure for small-bowel imaging. The potential contribution of this method to the diagnosis and staging of gastrointestinal lymphomas has not yet been evaluated. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the frequency and morphology of different forms of intestinal pathology in patients with gastrointestinal lymphomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Commercially available capsule video endoscopes were administered to 27 patients (16 men and 11 women, aged 27-77) with known gastrointestinal lymphomas. CE was also carried out in 30 control individuals. RESULTS: All seven patients with primary intestinal lymphomas who were examined were found to have pathological findings on CE--four with ulcerations, four with nodes, three with villous atrophy, and one with plaques/white villi. One patient with severe diarrhea was examined three times before and after chemotherapy, and improvement of the lesions was evident, as well as resolution of diarrhea. Twenty patients with gastric lymphoma were examined (16 with low-grade and four with high-grade B cell lymphomas). The capsule did not leave the stomach in three patients, suggesting impaired motility. The small-bowel transit times were 261+/-41 min for intestinal lymphoma, 245+/-62 min for gastric lymphoma, and 224+/-82 min for controls (P>0.05). Five of the 20 patients with gastric lymphoma had pathological findings in the intestine--three with plaques/white villi, two with nodes, and two with villous atrophy. In two patients, subsequent biopsies revealed secondary follicular lymphoma and high-grade lymphoma, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CE is a valuable diagnostic tool for defining the extent of bowel involvement and assessing the efficacy of treatment in patients with gastrointestinal lymphoma.     

Capsule endoscopy in patients with suspected Crohn's disease and negative endoscopy

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The aim of the present study was to assess the value of capsule endoscopy in the diagnostic work-up of patients in whom there is a clinical suspicion of small bowel Crohn's disease that cannot be confirmed using traditional techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients (14 men, seven women; mean age 43 +/- 8 years) with a clinical and biochemical suspicion of Crohn's disease were included in the study. Conventional imaging work-up, including upper and lower endoscopy, as well as a small-bowel follow-through, was carried out in all of the patients. RESULTS: Pathological findings were not observed in 12 of the 21 patients (57 %). In the other nine patients (43 %), lesions supporting the diagnosis of Crohn's disease were seen. The most frequent findings were located in the distal ileum and included aphthae, lineal and serpiginous ulcers, and fissures. Four patients had lesions in the jejunum. One patient showed erosions in the distal duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. No adverse effects of the technique were observed in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Capsule endoscopy is a valuable diagnostic tool in patients with suspected Crohn's disease that has not been confirmed using standard imaging techniques.     

胶囊内镜在不明原因严重的消化道出血中的诊断作用

目的探讨胶囊内镜(CE)在不明原因严重的消化道出血(OGIB)中的诊断作用。方法回顾性分析该院胶囊内镜检查的12例不明原因严重的消化道出血患者的临床资料。结果 12例患者均顺利完成检查,平均通过小肠时间为261min,其中2例(13.3%)未通过回盲瓣。共检出小肠病变10例,胶囊内镜的阳性率为83%。病因包括:毛细血管扩张2例(13.3%),毛细血管瘤1例(6.7%),动静脉畸形1例(6.7%),小肠多发溃疡2例(13.3%),小肠淋巴管扩张并出血1例(6.7%),小肠肿瘤3例(25%)。结论胶囊内镜检查耐受性好,安全、有效,诊断不明原因的严重消化道出血价值高。OGIB以小肠血管损伤最常见,其次为小肠肿瘤。