Endoscopic small intestinal biopsy

Current methods to diagnose the unresponsive and complicated forms of coeliac disease

Coeliac disease is a common disorder. Due to the protean manifestations of the disease and the often mild but indolent course, the diagnosis is often missed. The method to diagnose this in principle reversible disease after the introduction of a gluten-free diet has attracted the attention of several scientific disciplines to find the simplest and most patient-friendly test. This has resulted in a noticeable impact on the clinical practice next to a general increased awareness of its existence, its pathogenesis, its course and recent evidence of increased mortality. Amendments made in the diagnostic criteria of coeliac disease over the last half century have simplified the diagnosis. However, the aspect most relevant to the specialist in internal medicine is related to its grave consequences when the disease fails to respond to a gluten-free diet. These refractory cases may culminate in severe complications with sombre endings and malignancy. Fortunately, current technology can offer the specialist in internal medicine more facilities to diagnose the cause of the complicated cases in order to attempt to intervene in the course of disease and hopefully save these patients. We review the available tools that now exist and their indications that can be practiced in a modern clinical setting for the diagnosis of the complicated forms of this disease.

Endomysial antibody in the diagnosis and management of coeliac disease

This review determines the significance, usefulness, and application of the endomysial antibody test for coeliac disease in clinical practice.

Are endoscopic biopsies of small bowel as good as suction biopsies for diagnosis of enteropathy?

BACKGROUND

Endoscopy is increasingly used in paediatric practice for diagnosis of enteropathy, although the quality of grasp forceps-obtained biopsy specimens required for reliable diagnosis has been questioned in comparison with suction capsule biopsy specimens. This study prospectively compared the diagnostic suitability of grasp forceps biopsy versus suction biopsy in the same patient during the same procedure.

METHODS

A double-port paediatric suction biopsy capsule was front-loaded onto an endoscope and directed to the fourth part duodenum-proximal jejunum for biopsy sampling. Subsequently, three grasp biopsy specimens were taken from the same region. All biopsies were coded, photographed, and measured for area, using computed morphometry. A single blinded histopathologist assessed sample adequacy for diagnosis. Twenty-nine patients were enrolled (age range, 8-185 months).

RESULTS

On three occasions the suction capsule failed to fire, and on four occasions only one sample was obtained. Three grasp biopsy specimens were obtained on each occasion by endoscopy, and the first two were used for comparison with suction biopsy samples. Median total area of individual biopsy samples obtained by the two procedures was not different (21.3 vs. 22.5 mm2; P = 0.027). Muscularis mucosae was obtained more commonly with grasp biopsies (P<0.001), and no difference was observed for the presence of three or more villus-crypt units, degree of haemorrhage, or optimal orientation. Two suction biopsy procedures and one grasp biopsy procedure were inadequate for diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic grasp biopsies are perfectly adequate for the assessment of small intestinal histology. In addition, endoscopy affords advantage in diagnosis of other upper gastrointestinal disease with avoidance of radiologic screening involved with the suction capsule technique.

Histologic evaluation of endoscopic versus suction biopsies of small intestinal mucosae in children with and without celiac disease

BACKGROUND

Concern over the adequacy of histologic diagnosis of endoscopic duodenal biopsies in children prompted this comparative study on the histologic quality of endoscopic versus capsule biopsies. We found this problem addressed in only six previous reports.

METHODS

Blind examinations of the histologic sections of 48 duodenal biopsies obtained by gastrointestinal endoscopy in children aged 2-18 years were compared to 52 biopsies obtained by the small bowel suction method (from children aged 1-16 years).

RESULTS

Although 87.5% of endoscopic biopsies and 94.2% of capsule biopsies were adequate for histologic diagnosis, fragmentation or squashing was seen in 83.3% of endoscopic biopsies and only in 25% of capsule biopsies.

CONCLUSIONS

Biopsies obtained by suction are of better quality than those obtained by endoscopy. If endoscopy is preferred for technical reasons, the following conditions should be observed: the patients should be aged over 2 years, and a minimum of four biopsies should be obtained with forceps of a diameter greater than 2 mm. Adequate histologic criteria for diagnosis should include at least one full-thickness mucosal specimen more than 3 mm in length, vertically oriented, and not fragmented. In children under age 2, duodenal or jejunal capsule biopsies are preferred, since the specimens are usually larger and less fragmented. Endoscopy is technically more difficult in the very young patient.

Usefulness of videoduodenoscopy and vital dye staining as indicators of mucosal atrophy of celiac disease: assessment of interobserver agreement

BACKGROUND

The present study was designed to determine the diagnostic usefulness of videoduodenoscopic inspection alone and the addition of vital dye staining in the detection of celiac disease. We additionally sought to evaluate interobserver agreement for specific duodenoscopic markers of mucosal atrophy.

METHODS

One hundred sixty-seven consecutive subjects who underwent duodenoscopy for intestinal biopsy were included in a prospective controlled study. Endoscopic examination was performed by experienced endoscopists according to a set protocol using methylene blue (1%) dye. All procedures were recorded on videotape, but only 20 (10 with atrophy and 10 normal) were used in a blinded, independent, randomized analysis by five reviewers to evaluate interobserver agreement. Endoscopic signs indicative of mucosal atrophy were as follows: reduction in the number or loss of Kerkring's folds, "scalloped" folds, "mosaic pattern," and visualization of the underlying blood vessels.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven patients had celiac disease (57 newly diagnosed, 30 when treated). Seven treated patients had nonatrophic mucosa. In 80 patients the final diagnosis excluded celiac disease. Videoendoscopic inspection alone correctly identified 75 of 80 patients with complete mucosal atrophy and 86 of 87 with normal mucosa. False-negative diagnoses occurred in treated celiac patients with mild atrophy. Mosaic pattern (89%) and scalloped folds (86%) were the most useful endoscopic signs. Vital dye staining, as assessed by experienced endoscopists, provided identical results to those obtained by inspection alone. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the presence of one or more than one feature were 94%, 100%, 100%, and 96%, respectively. The agreement (kappa statistics) among observers was excellent for the mosaic pattern (kappa: 0.76 for both the videoendoscopic inspection alone and dye staining) and the scalloped folds (kappa: 0.83 and 0.76, respectively) and was fair (kappa: 0.41 and 0.59, respectively) for the reduction in the number or loss of duodenal folds.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms that videoduodenoscopy is useful in the detection of intestinal atrophy. Dye staining produces a better delineation of scalloped folds and mosaic pattern in the atrophic mucosa, but did not provide additional information to the expert endoscopist. Finally, interobserver agreement was excellent for the most prevalent signs.

A comparison of endoscopic and capsule small intestinal biopsy techniques in children with upper gastrointestinal disorders

OBJECTIVE

To compare the adequacy for histological diagnosis and morphometric analysis of small intestinal biopsies obtained by either endoscopic forceps or a capsule technique.

METHODOLOGY

Small intestinal biopsies from 176 children were reviewed, 92 obtained by endoscopy and 84 by capsule.

RESULTS

The adequacy for making a histological diagnosis was 96 and 81% for endoscopic and capsule biopsies, respectively, and for morphometric analysis it was 86 and 71%. There were more tissue specimens from children who had endoscopic compared with capsule biopsies (2.3 vs 1.8 specimens per patient).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic biopsies provide better specimens for histological diagnosis and endoscopy has the advantage of allowing macroscopic assessment of the upper gastrointestinal tract which can be of value in recognizing unexpected pathology and in identifying patchy mucosal changes.

Diagnostic and therapeutic push type enteroscopy in clinical use

This study describes small bowel push enteroscopy in routine clinical practice, using a purpose designed instrument (Olympus SIF-10). Fifty six patients had a total of 60 procedures over a two and a half year period. The median (range) depth of small intestine intubated was 45 (15-90) cm. Procedure time varied from 10-45 minutes. Most enteroscopies were performed during routine gastroscopy lists. The technique was comparatively easy for experienced endoscopists to learn. Forty two procedures were for diagnostic purposes. Eleven patients had gastrointestinal bleeding where the source was obscure, or where early investigations had suggested a small bowel source: a specific diagnosis was made in 45% of these cases. Of seven iron deficient anaemic patients using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), only one had a lesion detected in the upper small bowel. Nine patients had abnormal small bowel barium studies. Small bowel abnormalities were seen in six cases and were definitively diagnostic in three of these; in three patients the barium study appearances were confirmed as artefact. Fifteen patients were investigated for abdominal symptoms suggesting small bowel obstruction or malabsorption: a diagnosis was made in five cases. Fifteen patients underwent enteroscopy for therapeutic purposes, including successful treatment of difficult enteral feeding problems by nasojejunal tubes or by cutaneous endoscopic jejunostomies, polypectomy for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, and dilatation of strictures. Additionally, bleeding lesions detected in patients during investigation of anaemia were successfully treated at the time by YAG laser or bipolar diathermy. In conclusion, push enteroscopy is a practical and valuable clinical service, which should probably become available on a subregional basis.

Effect of forceps size and mode of orientation on endoscopic small bowel biopsy evaluation

Endoscopy is increasingly being used to obtain duodenal biopsy specimens in suspected small intestinal malabsorption. We have prospectively evaluated the effect of standard and jumbo biopsy forceps, as well as the mode of orientation of the specimens (naked eye or stereomicroscopy), on duodenal biopsy weight, length, depth, and orientation in 18 consecutive patients. A pair of biopsy specimens was obtained from each patient by each type of forceps in random order. After they had been weighed, one biopsy specimen from each pair was oriented stereomicroscopically and all four were blindly evaluated by two pathologists. The biopsy specimens obtained with the jumbo forceps were significantly larger (15.9 +/- 6.9 mg, mean +/- SD) and longer (0.6 +/- 0.2 cm) than those obtained with the standard forceps (8.0 +/- 1.3 mg, 0.4 +/- 0.2 cm, respectively; p < 0.001). Seventy-two percent of the jumbo biopsy specimens that were oriented with stereomicroscopy included a minimum of four villi in a row, as compared to 44% of the eye-oriented jumbo specimens and less than 39% of the standard specimens, irrespective of the mode of orientation (p = 0.02). These results indicate that the jumbo forceps is superior to the standard, because it produces a larger duodenal mucosal specimen, usually suitable for optimal histologic evaluation when oriented with stereomicroscopy.

Value of endoscopic markers in celiac disease

Duodenoscopy in celiac disease has identified several markers of the disease. Our aim was to evaluate, in a prospective study, the usefulness of the different endoscopic features in 100 consecutive cases referred to endoscopy for intestinal biopsy. Histological examination of duodenal samples showed severe villous atrophy (grade III/IV) in 36 patients. Of these patients, 34 had endoscopic markers suggestive of celiac disease. These were reduction in number or loss of Kerkring's folds (in 27), mosaic pattern (14), scalloped folds (12), and visibility of the underlying blood vessels (5). Endoscopic visualization of these markers had a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 92%, and a positive predictive value of 84%. Reduction in number, or loss of, Kerkring's folds was the most sensitive (76%) and specific (98%) single endoscopic change indicating celiac disease. Duodenoscopy permitted diagnosis in three of four asymptomatic patients in a group of 24 first-degree relatives of celiac disease patients. We conclude that endoscopy of distal duodenum is a sensitive and specific indicator of celiac disease.

Perforation from endoscopic small bowel biopsy

Two patients, having undergone an apparently straightforward endoscopy with small bowel biopsy, developed a perforation. One, who proved to have normal small bowel mucosa, needed laparotomy and suturing of the duodenal perforation. The other, who had coeliac disease, settled with conservative management.

Comparison of fiberendoscopy and Watson capsule for small intestinal biopsy in infants and children

We analyzed the results of 607 small bowel biopsies performed over a seven-year period: 284 biopsies were obtained using a fiberendoscope and 323 biopsies using a Watson capsule. Three to six specimens were removed during endoscopy. The biopsy fragments obtained with the fiberendoscope were deeper than those obtained with the Watson capsule (p less than 0.0001) and were more often located in the duodenum (p less than 0.0001). The failure rate of the fiberendoscope biopsies (1%) was lower than for the Watson capsule biopsies (9%) (p less than 0.0001). Multiple biopsies increased the diagnostic value of fiberendoscopy which was 95% versus 85% for Watson capsule. The mean duration of the endoscopic procedure recorded in 30 children was 6.5 min for four to six samples, i.e. 1.5 min per biopsy specimen. Fiberendoscopy appears to be an efficient and safe method for performing small bowel biopsies in infants and children.

Comparison of endoscopic forceps biopsies and capsule biopsies in determining disaccharidase activity in the duodenum

Endoscopic biopsy is an accepted technique for obtaining samples of small bowel mucosa for histological examination. In this study a comparison between endoscopic forceps biopsies and capsule biopsies in estimating disaccharidase enzyme activity in the small bowel was evaluated. Disaccharidase levels on 168 consecutive small bowel biopsies obtained by either endoscopic biopsy or capsule biopsy were reviewed retrospectively. There was no significant difference in enzyme activity in samples collected by either method. Another 18 patients had simultaneous endoscopic and capsule biopsies from the second part of the duodenum. Again, there was no difference in enzyme activity between samples collected by either technique at the same level in the duodenum. The disaccharidase activity in forceps biopsies taken from the second part of the duodenum is equivalent to those obtained by capsule biopsy.

Coeliac disease and malignancy of the duodenum: diagnosis by endoscopy, successful treatment of the malignancy, and response to a gluten free diet

A patient presented with subtotal villous atrophy and a malignant duodenal tumour of uncertain histogenesis. He was successfully treated by resection and chemotherapy and the small bowel mucosa recovered on a gluten free diet. The tumour was diagnosed at upper gastrointestinal endoscopy when barium studies and abdominal computed tomography were normal, thus making this one of the earliest coeliac malignancies diagnosed.

Whipple's disease: endoscopic aspects before and after therapy

This report describes the utility and the advantages of endoscopy in diagnosing and following the course of Whipple's disease. Sixteen patients, diagnosed over a period of 22 years, were identified via pathology records and retrospectively reviewed. Five patients were diagnosed before 1980 by means of peroral suction biopsy of the small intestine. The 11 patients diagnosed after 1980 all had upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and endoscopic small intestinal biopsies. Gross endoscopic lesions were observed in 9 of the 11 patients and disappeared in 5 of 6 treated patients at 6 months. These lesions include erosions, yellow plaques, and a pale yellow shaggy mucosa. The latter two lesions are macroscopically suggestive of Whipple's disease. After endoscopic "healing," periodic acid-Schiff-positive macrophages remained present in the endoscopic biopsies for years. The patients were followed for a median period of 4 years and 5 months. All patients were treated with antibiotics (eight tetracycline alone, four tetracycline + streptomycin + penicillin, and four trimethoprim). Five patients (four of the tetracycline alone group, none of the trimethoprim group) relapsed 2 to 11 years after the initial treatment.

Endoscopy of the small intestine

For the patient and the clinician, it is well that small-bowel diseases are unusual, as our ability to access this area remains limited. Frequently, all of the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities of radiology, endoscopy, and surgery are required for successful resolution of a given problem. Because management of bleeding from a small-bowel source usually will involve the surgeon at some point, it is mandatory that the best "road map" be obtained prior to exploration. If a small-bowel source is suspected after a negative endoscopic evaluation of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and colon, then the clinician must decide which radiographic and endoscopic examination is most appropriate. If bleeding is slow or intermittent, push-type enteroscopy to evaluate the proximal jejunum will have an expected diagnostic discovery rate of about 30 per cent. A stiffening over-tube or internal cable should result in deeper passage of the instrument and a potentially greater yield. Retrograde ileoscopy should be a part of every colonoscopy done for occult bleeding. If endoscopy does not identify a bleeding source, then a detailed barium study of the small bowel using an enteroclysis double-contrast technique will discover more pathology than a standard small-bowel-follow-through. Because sonde-type enteroscopes are not readily available, the clinician must decide at this point whether to refer the patient to an enteroscopist or consider surgery and intraoperative endoscopy. If a bleeding source has been found, then intraoperative endoscopy can localize lesions for specific resection. If the pathology remains obscure, intraoperative endoscopy will have a discovery rate of about 70 per cent. For more active hemorrhage, a bleeding scan with 99mTc-labeled red blood cells can confirm that blood loss is continuing and also will guide the angiographer toward a more directed study, thus decreasing the contrast material load for the patient. If a bleeding source can be identified angiographically, a short course of vasopressin infusion to convert the need for surgical intervention to a more elective situation would be beneficial to the patient. Intraoperative endoscopy under urgent conditions is more difficult, because luminal blood must be lavaged or cleared for a proper examination. Many times, however, intraoperative endoscopy can "surround" a segment of intestine by identifying areas that are clearly normal.

Endoscopic small bowel mucosal biopsy: a controlled trial evaluating forceps size and biopsy location in the diagnosis of normal and abnormal mucosal architecture

This study was designed to determine (1) whether the site of biopsy within the proximal small bowel affects the ability to assess mucosal architecture in general, or to confirm a diagnosis of celiac sprue specifically; and (2) whether endoscopic small bowel biopsy using standard forceps can obtain adequate biopsy specimens to detect or exclude mucosal abnormalities. Three-hundred fifty-two biopsy specimens were obtained prospectively from 26 patients (8 sprue, 2 nonspecific changes, 16 normal) with "jumbo" and standard forceps from jejunum, ligament of Treitz, fourth, third, and second portions of the duodenum. There was no difference in biopsy specimen quality from different locations. All celiac sprue patients had at least one good or excellent specimen from each location, thereby allowing the diagnosis to be made equally well from second, third, and fourth portions of the duodenum, as well as at the ligament of Treitz and jejunum. No false-positive diagnoses of celiac sprue were made. Finally, the standard biopsy forceps provided good or excellent specimens in all patients.

Endoscopic demonstration of loss of duodenal folds in the diagnosis of celiac disease

Among 873 patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for various reasons over a two-year period, four had a loss of Kerckring's folds in the descending duodenum. Endoscopic duodenal biopsy in all four patients revealed subtotal villous atrophy due to celiac disease. We undertook a prospective study to evaluate the extent to which this finding predicted celiac disease in 65 consecutive patients referred for intestinal biopsy. Duodenal folds were absent or markedly decreased in 15 of 17 patients with subtotal villous atrophy and in 8 of 48 patients with partial villous atrophy or normal duodenal mucosa, giving a sensitivity of 88 percent and a specificity of 83 percent for this endoscopic finding with respect to celiac disease. We recommend that all patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy be examined for the loss or reduction of duodenal folds and, should this be found, that the examination include duodenal biopsy. The value of this procedure as an aid in the diagnosis of celiac disease should be particularly great in patients with minimal, transient, or unrelated symptoms.

Comparison of suction capsule and endoscopic biopsy of small bowel mucosa

Small bowel mucosal biopsy specimens were studied in 52 consecutive patients. Twenty-six patients underwent biopsy by a suction capsule and 16 patients by endoscopy using an 8-mm forceps. Additionally, 10 patients were asked to undergo biopsy by both techniques in the same morning. Material was obtained in 81% of attempts by suction and 100% by endoscopy. Tissue obtained was excellent in 58%, good in 28%, and poor in 14% of suction biopsy specimens. Corresponding grades for endoscopy were 65%, 31%, and 4%. The frequency of abnormal findings was not different by either technique. In the 10 patients who had both procedures, mean time to completion was 43 min by suction and 12 min by endoscopy. Intravenous premedication was used in endoscopy, and patient comfort was judged as excellent in 60% with endoscopy, whereas 60% judged suction biopsy as very uncomfortable. The mean fluoroscopy time of 3.9 min necessary for suction biopsy was eliminated with endoscopy. Biopsy with an 8-mm forceps through the endoscope is the preferred way to obtain tissue from the proximal small bowel.

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy--how far does the endoscope go?

Two adult-size endoscopes (Olympus GIF-K2 and ACMI TX-8) were compared for extent of duodenal intubation by the endoscopist's estimate of location and x-ray position in 55 patients. The endoscopes were not different in duodenal position when separately analyzed for the endoscopist's estimate or x-ray location. Combining the results for both endoscopes showed the endoscopist's estimate to differ significantly from x-ray location in 47% of patients (p = 0.02). When incorrect, the endoscopist overestimated 62% of the time and underestimated 38% of the time. X-ray evaluation of insertion depth confirmed that the second portion of the duodenum was reached in 96%, third portion in 51%, and fourth portion or beyond in 38% of patients. We conclude that fluoroscopic confirmation may be necessary when endoscopically assessing distal duodenal segments for pathology.

Small bowel biopsy for malabsorption: comparison of the diagnostic adequacy of endoscopic forceps and capsule biopsy specimens

Biopsy specimens of the small bowel were obtained from 40 patients suspected of having malabsorption. Four different techniques were used at a single session--namely, endoscopic biopsy of the descending duodenum using paediatric and standard size forceps and suction capsule biopsy of the descending duodenum and the proximal jejunum. Specimens were compared for size, adequacy, and ability to confirm or exclude mucosal abnormality. Fourteen patients had villous atrophy. In all patients four biopsy specimens were obtained with paediatric endoscopic forceps and four with standard endoscopic forceps. No capsule biopsy specimen was retrieved from the duodenum in three patients and from the jejunum in five patients. Specimens were considered to be adequate in 36 patients when paediatric forceps were used, in 39 when standard forceps were used, in 28 on duodenal capsule biopsy, and in 32 on jejunal capsule biopsy. This study indicates that the most reliable method for diagnosing or excluding villous atrophy is endoscopic forceps biopsy of the descending duodenum, provided that at least four specimens are obtained with standard size forceps.

Abundance of VIP in duodenal mucosa of coeliacs and duodenal ulcer patients

VIP levels were determined in gastroduodenal mucosal biopsies of 8 duodenal ulcer patients, of 5 coeliac sprue patients, and of 8 volunteers without upper gastrointestinal disease. In duodenal ulcer patients, mucosal VIP concentrations were significantly elevated in the proximal duodenum (e.g., in the duodenal bulb 225 +/- 48 versus 95 +/- 17 pmol/g in controls), while in coeliac sprue VIP levels tended to be increased in the whole duodenum and upper jejunum (e.g., descending duodenum 409 +/- 161 versus 81 +/- 16, p less than 0.05). In both disease entities, the rise in mucosal VIP may be a reaction of the peptidergic nervous system to chronic mucosal irritation and a reason for enhanced fluid and electrolyte secretion in the affected areas.

Peroral endoscopic duodenal biopsy in infants and children

Peroral endoscopic duodenal biopsy was used in the diagnosis and follow-up of forty-nine infants and children with suspected small intestine disease. Their ages ranged between one month and 12 years. Fifty-four upper gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures were performed and 139 biopsies were taken. The mean procedure time was 3.2 min with a range of 1.5-5.5 min. There were no complications. Tissue adequate for histopathologic examination was obtained in all but one of the fifty-four procedures. On the basis of this experience we think that peroral endoscopic duodenal biopsy is faster, safer and as diagnostic as conventional suction biopsy in infants and children. It is also more informative when other diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract are suspected.

Endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract in infancy

Forty endoscopic examinations of the upper gastrointestinal tract were performed in 38 infants with an age range from 2 days to 12 months. The main indications were upper gastrointestinal bleeding, chronic intractable vomiting, and small intestinal biopsy. Duodenal ulcer, hemorrhagic gastritis, and gastric erosions were the most common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in infancy. An acute viral infection with fever, aspirin ingestion, and diarrhea frequently preceded gastrointestinal bleeding from duodenal ulcer and gastric erosion. Four of the 27 bleeding patients demonstrated no abnormality endoscopically.