Treatment of small-bowel diaphragm disease by using double-balloon enteroscopy

BACKGROUND: Double-balloon enteroscopy is a new technique that allows endoscopic therapy throughout the entire length of the small bowel. Diaphragm disease, characterized by thin septa that narrow the small-bowel lumen, is traditionally treated surgically by segmental resection. OBJECTIVE: To report successful endoscopic treatment of diaphragm disease by double-balloon enteroscopy. PATIENTS: Three patients. DESIGN: Case report. INTERVENTIONS: Double-balloon enteroscopy and stricture balloon dilation. RESULTS: We report, for the first time, 3 cases in which diaphragm strictures were successfully treated during double-balloon enteroscopy. In 2 cases, a retained capsule endoscope was removed by the retrograde approach after stricture dilation. LIMITATIONS: Small number of patients and brief length of patient follow up. CONCLUSION: Double-balloon enteroscopy may be used to treat patients with diaphragm disease, thus avoiding potentially complicated surgery.