Darier's disease with esophageal involvement

Abstract

Objective. Nowadays, capsule endoscopy (CE) is the first-line procedure after negative upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Approximately, two-thirds of patients undergoing CE for OGIB will have a small-bowel abnormality. However, several patients who underwent CE for OGIB had the source of their blood loss in the stomach or in the colon. The aim of the present study is to determine the incidence of bleeding lesions missed by the previous gastroscopy/colonoscopy with CE and to evaluate the indication to repeat a new complete endoscopic workup in subjects related to a tertiary center for obscure bleeding before CE. Methods and methods. We prospectively reviewed data from 637/1008 patients underwent to CE for obscure bleeding in our tertiary center after performing negative gastroscopy and colonoscopy. Results. CE revealed a definite or likely cause of bleeding in stomach in 138/637 patients (yield 21.7%) and in the colon in 41 patients (yield 6.4%) with a previous negative gastroscopy and colonoscopy, respectively. The lesions found were outside the small bowel in only 54/637 (8.5%) patients. In 111/138 patients, CE found lesions both in stomach and small bowel (small-bowel erosions in 54, AVMs in 45, active small-bowel bleeding in 4, neoplastic lesions in 3 and distal ileum AVMs in 5 patients). In 24/41 (58.5%) patients, CE found lesions both in small bowel and colon (multiple small-bowel erosions in 15; AVMs in 8 and neoplastic lesion in 1 patients. All patients underwent endoscopic therapy or surgery for their nonsmall-bowel lesions. Conclusions. Lesions in upper or lower GI tract have been missed in about 28% of patients submitted to CE for obscure bleeding. CE may play an important role in identifying lesions missed at conventional endoscopy.     

The validity of suspected blood indicator software in capsule endoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Software tools have been developed as capsule endoscopy (CE) reading aids. The suspected blood indicator (SBI) tags possible areas of haemorrhage in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This meta-analysis aims to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of SBI in CE.

Areas covered: A systematic literature search was conducted for studies on the use of SBI in CE. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of SBI in diagnosing GI bleeding was evaluated. 2040 patients from 16 studies underwent 2049 CE examinations. The overall sensitivity of SBI for bleeding or potentially bleeding lesions was 0.553, specificity 0.578, DOR 12.354. The sensitivity of SBI for active bleeding was 0.988, specificity 0.646, DOR 229.89.

Expert commentary: Currently, SBI has limited validity in CE reading. However, in active GI bleeding, it has good sensitivity, supporting its use in the acute setting.     

Combined Use of Computed Tomography Enterography/Enteroclysis and Capsule Endoscopy Improves the Accuracy of Diagnosis of Small Bowel Bleeding

Objective CT enterography/enteroclysis (CTE) is listed in the clinical practice guidelines as a method for diagnosing small bowel bleeding, as is capsule endoscopy (CE), but there are no real-world data yet available on CTE in Japan. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic ability of CTE and long-term prognosis after CTE in Japan. Patients We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients suspected of having small bowel bleeding who underwent both CTE and CE within 30 days between April 2008 and March 2019. The number of patients free from rebleeding for up to 24 months was thus determined. Results Seventy-one patients were extracted from the database. The 43 patients (60.6%) with a definite and suspicious source of bleeding in the small bowel were detected by CTE. When the 31 patients with a definite source of bleeding in the small bowel were analyzed, the sensitivity of CTE was 19/31 (61.3%) and that of CE was 24/31 (77.4%), thus indicating no significant difference (p=0.332). However, the sensitivity when CTE and CE were used in combination was 30/31 (96.8%), which was significantly higher than that of CE alone (p=0.0412). No rebleeding was observed in the CTE and CE negative group (p=0.0965). Conclusion The combined use of CTE and CE increased the detection rate of small bowel bleeding. Therefore, in patients with suspected tumor/polyp lesions, not only CE, but also CTE should be performed. This study provides the first real-world data on the diagnostic accuracy of CTE for small bowel bleeding in Japan.     

Does the "Suspected Blood Indicator" improve the detection of bleeding lesions by capsule endoscopy?

BACKGROUND: The "Suspected Blood Indicator" (SBI), a feature included in the software for interpretation of capsule endoscopy (CE), is designed to facilitate detection of bleeding lesions in the small bowel. This study evaluated the sensitivity and the specificity of the SBI in patients who underwent CE for obscure GI bleeding (OGIB). METHODS: CE recordings from patients with OGIB recruited in 7 centers were read by experts blinded to the red SBI tags. They classified lesions of interest as bleeding or as having a potential for bleeding that was high (P2), low (P1), or absent (P0). The SBI tags then were marked by a another investigator. Concordance was acknowledged when frames selected by the expert reader, and those tagged by the SBI had the same time code. RESULTS: A total of 156 recordings were evaluated. In 83, there was either no lesion (n = 71) or a P0 lesion (n = 12); these CE recordings were regarded as normal. Among the 73 abnormal recordings, 114 P2 and 92 P1 lesions were identified. A total of 154 red tags were analyzed. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of SBI were 37%, 59%, 50%, and 46%, respectively, for detection of the presence of a P2 or P1 lesion in front of a red tag. CONCLUSIONS: SBI-based detection of intestinal lesions with the potential for bleeding is of limited clinical value in practice and does not reduce the time required for interpretation of CE.     

Inter-observer agreement for detection of small bowel Crohn's disease with capsule endoscopy

Abstract

Objective. Compared to other modalities, capsule endoscopy (CE) has a high diagnostic yield for diagnosing small bowel Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to determine the inter-observer agreement for detection of small bowel CD with predefined diagnostic criteria. Material and methods. Thirty patients with suspected or known CD were included in the study. Observers were blind to patient histories, the results of ileo-colonoscopies, and small bowel examinations. More than three ulcerations (aphthous lesions or ulcers) or the presence of stenosis caused by inflammation or fibrosis was diagnostic of small bowel CD. Three observers with experience in gastrointestinal endoscopy and CE participated in the study. Results. The presence or absence of small bowel CD was determined with complete agreement in 23 patients, nine patients with and 14 without small bowel CD. The inter-observer agreement was substantial for the diagnosis (κ = 0.68) and moderate for the localization of CD (κ = 0.44). Aphthous lesions were detected with only fair agreement (κ = 0.38). The time intervals to passage of the pylorus and ileo-caecal valve were detected with excellent intra-class correlation. Conclusions. CE is performed with substantial inter-observer agreement for detection of small bowel CD. In the majority of patients, the presence or absence of small bowel CD is unequivocal. However, in patients with few or minor lesions, the diagnosis is observer dependent.     

Capsule endoscopy: Is the software TOP 100 a reliable tool in suspected small bowel bleeding?

BackgroundSmall bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is the reference standard tool for diagnosing small bowel bleeding (SBB). The “TOP 100”, which performs an automatic selection of the 100 images that mostly likely contain abnormalities, emerged as a new functionality of the RAPID Reader® software in 2017.AimTo compare the concordance of findings between the standard reading (SR) and the use of TOP 100 in suspected SBB.MethodsRetrospective study, including consecutive patients submitted to SBCE for suspected SBB. Two experienced readers performed SR and reported the most important findings. Another experienced reader, who was blinded to the SR results, reviewed all the SBCE videos using TOP 100 and reported the most important findings. The relevant findings were defined as the presence of high bleeding potential lesions (P2).Results97 patients were included. The TOP 100 detected 81/97(83.5%) of the P2 lesions, in particular 64/67(95.5%) of the angioectasias and 17/30(56.7%) of the ulcers. The TOP 100 identified all sites of active bleeding (n = 9).ConclusionThe TOP 100 identified all sites of active bleeding, as well as the vast majority of significant lesions (83.5%); in particular, it detected over 95% of the angioectasias. Although SR remains the reference standard in the SBCE review, these findings demonstrate that TOP 100 allows for a quick preview reading constituting an important asset in the identification of lesions that may require priority full review and intervention planning.     

Concordancia diagnóstica entre la videocápsula endoscópica y enteroscopia mono y de doble balón en la hemorragia de intestino delgado en un hospital de alta complejidad en Bogotá, Colombia

IntroductionVideo capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted enteroscopy are complementary diagnostic methods in the study of small bowel bleeding, and different factors can affect their diagnostic yield.AimsTo define the level of agreement between video capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy in small bowel bleeding, according to the type of lesion, in a cohort of patients at a tertiary care referral center.Materials and methodsA retrospective study was conducted that included 428 capsule endoscopies performed within the time frame of 2011 and 2019 at our healthcare institution. Seventy-four video capsule endoscopies, followed by enteroscopy, in 71 patients suspected of presenting with small bowel bleeding, were analyzed.ResultsMean patient age was 63.9 ± 13.5 years and 42 patients were women. The two diagnostic procedures were performed. Overall diagnostic yield of positive findings between video capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy was 86.5% vs. 58.1%, respectively (p = 0.0527). Agreement between video capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy for positive pathologic findings was weak (Ik = 0.17, 95% CI: -0.0097-0.3543), but according to lesion type, it was good for inflammatory lesions (Ik = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.5182-0.9119) and moderate for angiectasias (Ik = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.2469-0.6538) and tumors (Ik = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.1217-0.6794). The results between the two methods differed in 38 patients (51.3%). There was complete intestinal capsule retention in one patient (1.4%) and active bleeding in 13 (17.6%).ConclusionsThe present study showed that the two techniques had a similar overall detection rate for small bowel lesions, but the type of lesion was the main factor that could modify diagnostic agreement.     

SURVEILLANCE OF SMALL INTESTINAL ABNORMALITIES IN PATIENTS WITH HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA: A PROSPECTIVE CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY STUDY

Background: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) sometimes suffer from obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Portal hypertension (PH), common in cirrhosis, induces esophagogastric varices. Because of the location, PH also may influence mucosal abnormalities in the small intestine. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of small intestinal mucosal abnormalities in HCC patients using capsule endoscopy (CE). Patients and Methods: We prospectively conducted CE in HCC patients, and analyzed the findings in relation to hepatic function, the number and size of HCC tumor and findings obtained by conventional endoscopy. Results: Thirty‐six patients (aged 66.7 ± 7.5 years, 29 men) underwent CE. Abnormal findings in the small bowel were found in 16 patients (44%), angioectasias in eight patients (22%), erosions in five (14%), varices in four (11%), polyps in four (11%), and submucosal tumor in one (3%). The patients with angioectasia had a larger spleen index than the no abnormal lesions group (85.4 ± 15.8 vs 59.0 ± 24.4, P = 0.02). The former group had been more frequently treated for esophageal varices endoscopically (62% vs 15%, P = 0.02). Large HCC nodules seemed more common in the patients with angioectasia than subjects without abnormal lesions (38% vs 5%, P = 0.06). Small intestinal varices also seemed to have a positive association with large HCC. During the follow up after CE, one patient with small intestinal polyps suffered from obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Conclusions: CE revealed that HCC patients frequently have small intestinal mucosal lesions. In particular, small intestinal angioectasia, which may cause obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, seems to be associated with portal hypertension.     

Capsule endoscopy in small bowel tumors: A multicenter Korean study

Background and Aim: Capsule endoscopy (CE) has proven to be highly effective at detecting small bowel lesions in a variety of clinical conditions, but studies concerning the practical impact of CE on small bowel tumors are still scarce, especially in the Asian population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of CE in the field of small bowel tumors. Methods: CE records consecutively pooled from the beginning of use of CE in Korea, October 2001 until April 2008, in 14 centers throughout Korea were reviewed. Clinical information and CE video images of small bowel tumors were analyzed. Results: A total of 1332 cases undergoing CE were reviewed with all clinical indications. Small bowel tumors were diagnosed with CE in 57 (4.3%) of 1332 patients. The tumors were malignant in 33 cases, and included three adenocarcinomas, eight lymphomas, 20 gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and two metastatic cancers. The most frequent indications for CE in malignant tumors were obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, followed by abdominal pain and weight loss. Thirty of 57 tumors were identified exclusively by CE (diagnostic impact = 30/57), and they were smaller in size (mean, range: 14.3 mm, 2–35 mm) compared to the other tumors detected in radiological studies (48.7 mm, 10–110 mm). Seven patients underwent surgical resection (therapeutic impact = 7/57). Conclusion: CE effectively identifies small bowel tumors that are undetectable by conventional radiological studies (diagnostic impact = 52.6%) and can critically change the therapeutic course (therapeutic impact = 12.3%).     

Application of fecal hemoglobin–haptoglobin complex testing for small bowel lesions

Abstract

Objective. Fecal hemoglobin–haptoglobin (Hb–Hpt) complex testing is theoretically superior to immunochemical fecal occult blood test detecting human hemoglobin (Hb), as Hb–Hpt is more stable compared to Hb during passage through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The aim was to examine the role of fecal Hb–Hpt complex testing in predicting small bowel lesions detected by video capsule endoscopy (VCE). Materials and methods. Stools from patients undergoing small bowel VCE for obscure GI bleeding (OGIB) without ongoing overt bleeding were included. Two stool specimens were obtained on different days just before VCE to measure Hb–Hpt complex by ELISA and Hb by latex agglutination turbidimetric immunoassay. Results. Seventy-six patients (39 men and 37 women, average age 66 years) with suspected small bowel lesions entered. Median Hb–Hpt complex and Hb levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in those with small bowel lesions compared to those without. Using the suitable cutoff points (Hb >10 ng/ml and Hb–Hpt complex >5 ng/ml), the sensitivity and specificity of the Hb–Hpt complex test to predict small bowel lesions were 71.4% and 73.3%, and those of the Hb test were 61.2% and 89.3%. Small bowel lesions were found in 58.3% with only Hb–Hpt complex positive results (15.8% of total subjects) compared to 83.3% when both were positive (55.3% of total). Conclusions. Measuring fecal Hb–Hpt complex in addition to Hb may be useful to predict the presence of small bowel lesions in patients with OGIB.     

Evaluation of the sensitivity of the Express View function in the Mirocam® capsule endoscopy software

Abstract

Background: A new computer algorithm called Express-View has recently been introduced by Mirocam, but data concerning its application and efficacy are scarce.

Objective: To evaluate the lesion detection rate, per-patient sensitivity and the diagnostic accuracy using Express-View.

Methods: All patients who performed CE between January 2018 and June 2019, whose indication was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) and with findings on CE, were included. Lesions identified in conventional reading were selected and considered as reference.

Results: Eighty-nine patients were included, 50.6% male, with a mean age of 68.4 years-old (±12.3). The Express-View mode detected 85.5% of lesions previously detected by conventional reading (524 out of 613). There were 89 missed lesions, mainly erosions or ulcers (44.9%) and angioectasias (38.2%). The lesion detection rate was found to be lower in the jejunum and ileum compared to extra-small bowel locations and duodenum (p = .04). Although Express-View had a per-patient sensitivity for all lesions of 56.2% and a per-patient sensitivity for all clinically significant lesions of 83.1%, it achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 91%.

Conclusions: The per-patient sensitivity for all lesions was shown to be below expectations, although the lesion detection rate, the per-patient sensitivity for all clinically significant lesions, and the diagnostic accuracy were shown to be higher.     

Different roles of capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy in obscure small intestinal diseases

AIM: To compare the roles of capsule endoscopy(CE)and double-balloon enteroscopy(DBE) in the diagnosis of obscure small bowel diseases.METHODS: From June 2009 to December 2014, 88 patients were included in this study; the patients had undergone gastroscopy, colonoscopy, radiological small intestinal barium meal, abdominal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan and mesenteric angiography, but their diagnoses were still unclear. The patients with gastrointestinal obstructions,fistulas, strictures, or cardiac pacemakers, as well as pregnant women, and individuals who could not accept the capsule-retention or capsule-removal surgery were excluded. Patients with heart, lung and other vital organ failure diseases were also excluded. Everyone involved in this study had undergone CE and DBE. The results were divided into:(1) the definite diagnosis(the diagnosis was confirmed at least by one of the biopsy,surgery, pathology or the drug treatment effects with follow-up for at least 3 mo);(2) the possible diagnosis(a possible diagnosis was suggested by CE or DBE,but not confirmed by the biopsy, surgery or follow-up drug treatment effects); and(3) the unclear diagnosis(no exact causes were provided by CE and DBE for the disease). The detection rate and the diagnostic yield of the two methods were compared. The differencein the etiologies between CE and DBE was estimated,and the different possible etiologies caused by the age groups were also investigated.RESULTS: CE exhibited a better trend than DBE for diagnosing scattered small ulcers(P = 0.242, Fisher's test), and small vascular malformations(χ 2 = 1.810,P = 0.179, Pearson χ 2 test), but with no significant differences, possible due to few cases. However,DBE was better than CE for larger tumors(P =0.018, Fisher's test) and for diverticular lesions with bleeding ulcers(P = 0.005, Fisher's test). All three hemangioma cases diagnosed by DBE in this study(including sponge hemangioma, venous hemangioma,and hemangioma with hamartoma lesions) were all confirmed by biopsy. Two parasite cases were found by CE, but were negative by DBE. This study revealed no obvious differences in the detection rates(DR) of CE(60.0%, 53/88) and DBE(59.1%, 52/88). However,the etiological diagnostic yield(DY) difference was apparent. The CE diagnostic yield was 42.0%(37/88),and the DBE diagnostic yield was 51.1%(45/88).Furthermore, there were differences among the age groups(χ 2 = 22.146, P = 0.008, Kruskal Wallis Test). Small intestinal cancer(5/6 cases), vascular malformations(22/29 cases), and active bleeding(3/4cases) appeared more commonly in the patients over50 years old, but diverticula with bleeding ulcers were usually found in the 15-25-year group(4/7cases). The over-25-year group accounted for the stromal tumors(10/12 cases).CONCLUSION: CE and DBE each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The appropriate choice depends on the patient's age, tolerance, and clinical manifestations. Sometimes CE followed by DBE is necessary.     

Best candidates for capsule endoscopy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

Background and Aim: Capsule endoscopy (CE) has an important role in the diagnosis of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. However, there was still controversy regarding the best candidates for CE. The present retrospective study aimed to access the best candidates for CE. Methods: There were 91 consecutive patients referred to the present study for 94 CE examinations from May 2002 to January 2005. They were divided into two groups (41 with active bleeding, and 50 with previous bleeding). Results: The CE findings were positive in 74.7%, suspicious in 11% of cases and negative in 14.3% of cases, respectively. The positive and suspected positive yield of CE were 75.6% and 19.5% in the active bleeding group, 74% and 4% in the previous bleeding group (P = 0.01), 75.7% and 21.6% in the overt bleeding group, 75% and 0% in the occult bleeding group (P = 0.206), 89.7% and 3.4% in patients who bled 2 weeks previously, 52.38% and 4.76% in patients who bled >2 weeks previously (P = 0.003), 75.6% and 19.5% in active bleeding group, 89.7% and 3.4% in patients who bled 2 weeks ago (P = 0.128). Conclusions: The best candidates for the procedure are those with active bleeding, or active bleeding in the previous 2 weeks.     

Performance of Given suspected blood indicator

OBJECTIVES: Given Imaging (Yoqneam, Israel) has developed a suspected blood indicator (SBI) function for its wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) software. The SBI detects blood and marks appropriate images for interrogation. The sensitivity and accuracy of SBI and its role in examining WCE studies is unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of this new software in detecting small bowel lesions. METHODS: WCE reports of all patients referred for WCE in October and November, 2002, were reviewed. The images from each patient were reviewed by experienced gastroenterologists at 15 frames/s. The findings detected by gastroenterologists were compared to those recognized by SBI. Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), ulcers, erosions, and sites of active bleeding were considered significant lesions. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients (16 women and eight men, mean age 59 yr) were studied during this period. The indications for the study were iron deficiency anemia in 18 patients and abdominal pain in six patients. A total of 109 lesions were identified by gastroenterologists (47 AVMs, 18 active bleeding ulcers, 18 ulcers without bleeding, and 26 erosions). Active bleeding seen by gastroenterologists was secondary to AVMs (five cases), jejunal ulcers (11 cases, all in the same patient), and gastric ulcers (two cases). A total of 31 potential areas of blood were identified by SBI. When compared to those findings recognized by gastroenterologists, 28 lesions were correctly identified (six AVMs, 13 active bleeding ulcers, (three AVMs and 10 jejunal ulcers), seven nonbleeding ulcers, and two nonbleeding erosions. The overall sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy of SBI to detect significant small bowel lesions were 25.7%, 90%, and 34.8%, respectively. If only actively bleeding lesions in the small bowel were considered, SBI had sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy of 81.2%, 81.3%, and 83.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SBI has good sensitivity and positive predictive value for actively bleeding lesions in the small bowel. Complete review of the study by the physician is still needed. SBI should be considered as a complementary and rapid screening tool for gastroenterologists to identify actively bleeding lesions.     

ORBIT score: an useful predictor of small bowel rebleeding in patients under chronic anticoagulation

Background and study aims: Available scoring systems to assess the risk for major bleeding in patients on chronic anticoagulation seem inadequate in predicting higher diagnostic yields of small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) or higher rebleeding rates in patients with suspected small bowel bleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of the new ORBIT score in predicting positive findings of SBCE or higher rebleeding rates in chronically anticoagulated patients with suspected small bowel bleeding.

Patients and methods: Retrospective analysis of 570 patients who consecutively underwent SBCE for the study of suspected small bowel bleeding. For each of the 67 patients who were on chronic anticoagulation, ORBIT score (Older age, Reduced hemoglobin/hematocrit, Bleeding history, Insufficient kidney function and Treatment with antiplatelets) was calculated. Patients were classified as high-risk (ORBIT score?≥4) or low/intermediate-risk (ORBIT score?<4). Data on SBCE findings, diagnostic yield and rebleeding were compared between groups.

Results: When ORBIT score was calculated, 41 and 26 patients were classified as low/intermediate-risk and high-risk, respectively. When low/intermediate-risk and high-risk groups were compared, no differences were found in the diagnostic yield of SBCE (39.0% vs. 23.1%; p?=?.176). However, in high-risk patients, rebleeding was significantly more common than in low/intermediate-risk patients (80.0% vs. 36.6%; p?=?.003).

Conclusions: In patients presenting with suspected small bowel bleeding and on chronic anticoagulation, the new ORBIT score seems promising in identifying those with a higher risk of rebleeding, in whom a closer follow-up and a more aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic strategy is advisable.     

Small bowel ulcerative lesions are common in elderly NSAIDs users with peptic ulcer bleeding

AIM: To determine the frequency of small bowel ulcerative lesions in patients with peptic ulcer and define the significance of those lesions.METHODS: In our prospective study, 60 consecutive elderly patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding from a peptic ulceration (cases) and 60 matched patients with a non-bleeding peptic ulcer (controls) underwent small bowel capsule endoscopy, after a negative colonoscopy (compulsory in our institution). Controls were evaluated for non-bleeding indications. Known or suspected chronic inflammatory conditions and medication that could harm the gut were excluded. During capsule endoscopy, small bowel ulcerative lesions were counted thoroughly and classified according to Graham classification. Other small bowel lesions were also recorded. Peptic ulcer bleeding was controlled endoscopically, when adequate, proton pump inhibitors were started in both cases and controls, and Helicobacter pylori eradicated whenever present. Both cases and controls were followed up for a year. In case of bleeding recurrence upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was repeated and whenever it remained unexplained it was followed by repeat colonoscopy and capsule endoscopy.RESULTS: Forty (67%) cases and 18 (30%) controls presented small bowel erosions (P = 0.0001), while 22 (37%) cases and 4 (8%) controls presented small bowel ulcers (P < 0.0001). Among non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) consumers, 39 (95%) cases and 17 (33%) controls presented small bowel erosions (P < 0.0001), while 22 (55%) cases and 4 (10%) controls presented small bowel ulcers (P < 0.0001). Small bowel ulcerative lesions were infrequent among patients not consuming NSAIDs. Mean entry hemoglobin was 9.3 (SD = 1.4) g/dL in cases with small bowel ulcerative lesions and 10.5 (SD = 1.3) g/dL in those without (P = 0.002). Cases with small bowel ulcers necessitate more units of packed red blood cells. During their hospitalization, 6 (27%) cases with small bowel ulcers presented bleeding recurrence most possibly attributed to small bowel ulcers, nevertheless 30-d mortality was zero. Presence of chronic obstructive lung disease and diabetes was related with unexplained recurrence of hemorrhage in logistic regression analysis, while absence of small bowel ulcers was protective (relative risk 0.13, P = 0.05).CONCLUSION: Among NSAID consumers, more bleeders than non-bleeders with peptic ulcers present small bowel ulcers; lesions related to more severe bleeding and unexplained episodes of bleeding recurrence.     

A Rapid and Accurate Method to Detect Active Small Bowel Gastrointestinal Bleeding on Video Capsule Endoscopy

Background

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is indicated to evaluate for suspected small bowel bleeding, but “standard view” (SV) evaluation is time-consuming. Rapid Reader 6.0 software (Given Imaging, Duluth GA) contains two computer algorithmic systems: (1) “Quickview” (QV) which automatically skips similar images and (2) a pixel analysis program that identifies suspected blood (SBI). Combining the two modalities (QV + SBI) may provide a faster modality to assess for active small bowel bleeding.

Aims

This study was designed to assess the accuracy of QV + SBI for small bowel bleeding compared to SV findings.

Methods

This is a retrospective, case–control study at a single tertiary care referral hospital including all patients with VCE performed for suspected small bowel bleeding from 4/2007 to 3/2011. All studies were previously read using SV by one of two experienced faculty (CS, DR). The primary outcome was diagnostic accuracy of QV + SBI in assessing for active small bowel bleeding compared to SV.

Results

A total of 116 VCE were included, 28 with active small bowel bleeding identified by original SV. Using QV + SBI, all 28 VCEs with active small bowel bleeding were identified. The sensitivity of QV + SBI to detect active bleeding was 100 %, while the specificity was 93–94 %. The mean time to identify landmarks and read the entire study was 3 min 20 s.

Conclusions

The QV + SBI reading format of VCE is an efficient, highly sensitive modality to assess for potential small bowel bleeding.     

Prevalence of cervical esophageal heterotopic gastric mucosa

Abstract

Objective. Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a novel investigation for the diagnosis of small-bowel disease but its interpretation is highly subjective. We studied the inter-observer agreement and accuracy of the interpretation of CE findings based on capsule endoscopy structured terminology (CEST). Material and methods. Fifty-six CE video clips were collected from eight university hospitals in South Korea and were independently reviewed by 13 gastroenterology experts and 10 trainees. All investigators recorded their findings based on CEST. To determine the accuracy of individual viewers, we defined the ‘gold standard’ as a joint review by four experts. Results. The 56 CE video clips included five normal cases, 19 cases of protruding lesions, 21 cases of depressed lesions, three cases of flat lesions, one case of abnormal mucosa, six cases with blood in the lumen, and one case of stenotic lumen. The overall mean accuracies for the experts and trainees were 74.3% ± 22.6% and 61.7% ± 25.4%, respectively. The overall accuracy for the trainee group was significantly lower than that for the expert group (P Conclusions. Our results showed that there was substantial agreement between experts and moderate agreement between trainees. In order to achieve higher accuracies and better inter-observer agreement, we need not only more experience with CE but also consensus regarding CEST terminology.     

Capsule endoscopy findings in patients with occult or overt bleeding older than 80 years

Background: Overt and occult bleeding are the main indications for a wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) study of the small bowel. Most published studies omit patients aged over 80. Aim: To determine whether WCE is feasible in patients with overt or occult bleeding over age 80 and to define the spectrum of small bowel pathologies in this age group. Patients and Methods: In a retrospective non‐randomized tertiary care study, 60 patients at least 80 years or older (aged group) and 120 matched patients aged <80 years (younger group) with overt or occult bleeding (including iron deficiency anaemia) and no significant gastroscopic or colonoscopic findings underwent WCE. Results: Of the 180 patients, 46 (77%) patients in the aged group and 97 (81%) in the younger group successfully completed small bowel study (P = 0.51). There was no difference in gastric transit time and small bowel passing time between the two groups. More patients in the aged group (48 cases, 80%) than the younger group (56 cases, 47%) presented with small bowel angiodysplasias (P < 0.0001). Nevertheless, there was no difference between the two groups concerning ulcerative and neoplastic lesions. No patient presented with capsule impaction, but more patients in the aged group (35 cases, 58%) than in the younger group (10 cases, 8%) found the study difficult and tiresome (P < 0.001). Preparation validation was poor in 34% of small bowel lumen in the aged group and 19% in the younger group (P = 0.03). Conclusion: WCE is feasible, although rather tiresome, in patients over the age of 80. Though the vast majority of patients older than 80 presented with angiodysplasias, there were no differences between the aged and younger groups in the presence of ulcerative lesions and polyps or tumors.     

Repeat capsule endoscopy in suspected gastrointestinal bleeding

Objectives: This study aims to review the utility of repeat capsule endoscopy (CE) with on-going concern of small bowel (SB) bleeding following initial SB investigation with CE.

Materials and methods: A specifically designed database of CE examinations performed over 13 years, with hospital records, was retrospectively interrogated for patients undergoing multiple CEs to investigate iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) or suspected SB bleeding.

Results: 1335/2276 (58.7%) of CEs were performed to investigate IDA or SB bleeding; 92 were repeat CEs carried out for ongoing clinical concern. The median time interval between initial and repeat CE procedures was 466.5 (range 1–3066) days. Twenty-four patients had initially normal CE; on repeat examination, abnormalities were detected in 11/24 (45.8%). 3/21 (14.2%) of patients with angioectasia on first CE had alternative causes for IDA or GI bleeding detected on repeat CE. Six patients with active bleeding, without an identifiable source on initial CE, undergoing repeat CE had a cause isolated in 5/6 (83.3%). Changing CE device did not affect diagnostic yield (DY) compared to repeat CE using the same device (27.5% to 26.8%).

Conclusions: It is known that CE can miss clinically relevant and serious lesions. Our results suggest that patients with an initially negative or inconclusive CE frequently have a cause of SB bleeding detected on repeat CE. The DY of repeat CE is highest in those with bleeding on their initial CE (83.3%) and lower in those with initially normal examinations (45.8%) or when an alternative cause, such as angioectasia is seen (14.2%).