The yield of wireless capsule endoscopy in the detection of neuroendocrine tumors in comparison with CT enteroclysis

BACKGROUND: Patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of the small bowel often present with metastatic disease, and localization of the primary tumor still is a diagnostic challenge. Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is an established method that improves the diagnostic evaluation of diseases of the small intestine. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of WCE in imaging neuroendocrine tumors of the small bowel in these patients. DESIGN: We retrospectively compared the findings of capsule endoscopy to the findings of CT enteroclysis in patients with histopathological confirmation of NET. PATIENTS: Eight patients with newly established diagnosis of metastatic NET were included. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent CT enteroclysis and wireless capsule endoscopy within a maximum of 2 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Number of primary tumors detected. The results of surgery were used as a gold standard for both methods. RESULTS: CT enteroclysis detected the primary tumor in 4 of 8 patients whereas WCE found the primary in 3 patients. On the contrary, CT enteroclysis provided more false-positive results. LIMITATIONS: Frequent extraluminal tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with NET, wireless capsule endoscopy may be helpful in individual cases but the general diagnostic value of this method may be limited due to frequent extraluminal growth of these tumors.