Clinical features predicting the detection of abnormalities by double balloon endoscopy in patients with suspected small bowel bleeding

Three cases of jejunal tumors detected by standard upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: A case series

BACKGROUND

In patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, re-examination with standard upper endoscopes by experienced physicians will identify culprit lesions in a substantial proportion of patients. A common practice is to insert an adult-sized forward-viewing endoscope into the second part of the duodenum. When the endoscope tip enters after the papilla, which is a marker for the descending part of the duodenum, it is difficult to endoscopically judge how far the duodenum has been traversed beyond the second part.

CASE SUMMARY

We experienced three cases of proximal jejunal masses that were diagnosed by standard upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and confirmed with surgery. The patients visited the hospital with a history of melena; during the initial upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy, the bleeding site was not confirmed. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding was suspected; thus, according to guidelines, upper endoscopy was performed again. A hemorrhagic mass was discovered in the small intestine. The lesion of the first patient was thought to be located in the duodenum when considering the general insertion depth of a typical upper gastrointestinal endoscope; however, during surgery, it was confirmed that it was in the jejunum. After the first case, lesions in the second and third patients were detected at the jejunum by inserting the standard upper endoscope as deep as possible.

CONCLUSION

The deep insertion of standard endoscopes is useful for the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

The role of early video capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis and prognosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: A multi-center propensity score matching study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is a first-line procedure for the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). The opinions on the timing for such diagnostic evaluation remain unclear. We aimed to explore the role of early VCE in OGIB patients.

METHODS

A total of 997 patients that underwent VCE at Renji Hospital and Nagoya University from May 15, 2002, to December 28, 2016, were included in this study. We matched patients that underwent early VCE within 14 days of bleeding (early group, n = 678) to patients that did not (late group, n = 319) via 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM). We then compared VCE diagnostic rates and the prevalence of post-VCE rebleeding in patients with initial negative VCE findings within 1 year between these groups before and after PSM.

RESULTS

Following PSM, early VCE was associated with a significantly higher rate of OGIB diagnosis (56.4% vs 45.5%, P = 0.001) and with a significantly lower incidence of rebleeding within 1 year following treatment (24.7% vs 36.7%, P = 0.041). In univariate and multivariate analyses, VCE timing (odds ratio 0.648; 95% confidence interval 0.496-0.847, P = 0.001 and odds ratio 0.666; 95% confidence interval 0.496-0.894, P = 0.007, respectively) was found to be linked with a higher rate of positive findings.

CONCLUSION

Early VCE can improve the reliability of OGIB diagnosis while also reducing rates of post-VCE rebleeding. This suggests that timely and accurate diagnosis can help to improve OGIB patient treatment and prognosis.

The Diagnostic Yields and Safety of Double-Balloon Enteroscopy in Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Incomplete Small Bowel Obstruction: Comparison between the Adults and Elderly

Background

Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is widely used worldwide. However, comparisons between the diagnostic yields in adults and the elderly remain scarce.

Aim

The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic yields and safety of DBE between adults and elderly with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and incomplete small bowel obstruction.

Method

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent DBE with indication of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding or incomplete small bowel obstruction in Ruijin Hospital and classified them into adults (18–64 years old) and elderly (≥65 years old). Clinical characteristics, diagnostic yields, and postoperative complications were collected and further analyzed.

Results

A total of 877 DBE procedures, 729 in adults and 148 in the elderly, were performed. In the patients with OGIB, the adults showed a higher frequency of Meckel's diverticulum compared with the elderly (4.6% vs. 0.9%, P = 0.032). Angioectasia was higher in frequency in the elderly than in the adults (25.9% vs. 17.9%, P = 0.048). In patients with incomplete small bowel obstruction, the elderly were more likely to have adenocarcinoma than the adults (19.4% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.038). The adults had higher tendency to have Crohn's disease than the elderly (23.4% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.045). Most of the postoperative complications were mild. The adults and elderly displayed comparable tolerance to DBE (P > 0.05)

Conclusion

DBE has a high diagnostic yield in small bowel disorders, and a slight difference in disease spectrum was observed between the adults and elderly. DBE can be well-tolerated in the elderly.

Paradigm shift: should the elderly undergo propofol sedation for DBE? A prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the safety of propofol-assisted double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in elderly patients against a younger cohort.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

All patients undergoing DBE over a 30-month period were recruited at our tertiary centre.

PATIENTS

215 procedures in 161 patients were performed. An age cut-off of 65 years and above was used to define those who were elderly.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were subcategorised into four groups: elderly or young undergoing DBE with propofol or conventional sedation (with midazolam±fentanyl).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Patient demographics, comorbidities, procedural data, complications, diagnostic and therapeutic yield were compared.

RESULTS

Cardiovascular disease and a higher American Society of Anaethesiologists (ASA) status were more prevalent in elderly patients undergoing DBE with propofol (p<0.05). Common indications for DBE were occult and overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and suspected Crohn's disease (elderly vs young: 50.7% vs 42.3%, 17.8% vs 12% and 19.2% vs 26.1%, respectively). Diagnostic yield was higher in elderly compared with young patients (75.3% vs 58.5%, p=0.016). The most common findings in elderly and young patients were angioectasia (30.1% and. 18.3%, respectively) and ulcers (17.8% and 9.2%, respectively), while therapeutic intervention rates were comparable (42.5% vs 32.4%, p=0.18). ASA status did not affect propofol dose (p=0.55) or procedure duration (p=0.31). Tolerance scores were favourable in those receiving propofol compared with conventional sedation (p<0.05). There was no difference in complications between the four groups (p=0.17).

CONCLUSION

Compared with young patients, propofol-assisted DBE in the elderly is safe and has a high diagnostic yield.

Evaluation and outcomes of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is defined as recurrent or persistent bleeding or presence of iron deficiency anaemia after evaluation with a negative bidirectional endoscopy. OGIB accounts for 5% of gastrointestinal bleeding and presents a diagnostic challenge. Current modalities available for the investigation of OGIB include capsule endoscopy, balloon assisted enteroscopy, spiral enteroscopy and computed tomography enterography. These modalities overcome the limitations of previous techniques. Following a negative bidirectional endoscopy, capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy remain the cornerstone of investigation in OGIB given their high diagnostic yield. Long-term outcome data in patients with OGIB is limited, but is most promising for capsule endoscopy. This article reviews the current literature and provides an overview of the clinical evaluation of patients with OGIB, available diagnostic and therapeutic modalities and long-term clinical outcomes.

Double-balloon enteroscopy in Ireland in the capsule endoscopy era

BACKGROUND

The availability of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) in Ireland has revolutionised our approach to the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel disorders.

AIMS

To evaluate the use of DBE in Ireland and to compare the diagnostic yield with and without prior SBCE in order to improve the efficiency of our resources for small bowel endoscopy.

METHODS

A retrospective comparison study of all DBEs performed between two centres, one with SBCE available, was undertaken. Information was obtained by review of endoscopy reports, referral letters, radiology reports and charts. A review of the SBCE database was undertaken to identify patients who had undergone SBCE prior to DBE.

RESULTS

A total of 242 DBE procedures were carried out between both centres. SBCE was performed prior to DBE in 20 % (n = 46). The overall diagnostic yield of DBE was 47 % (n = 115). There was a statistically significant difference in diagnostic yield between the DBE only and the DBE with prior SBCE groups 44 versus 61 %, respectively, p < 0.0001. There was also a significant difference in the DBE approach, with 73 % of procedures being anterograde in centre 1 versus 56 % in centre 2. A subgroup analysis of centre 1 data revealed a negative predictive value of 100 % and a positive predictive value of 74 % for SBCE when DBE findings were considered as a gold standard.

CONCLUSION

SBCE as a screening tool prior to DBE is extremely valuable and increases the diagnostic yield considerably as a consequence of a high negative predictive value.

Is a repeat double balloon endoscopy in the same direction useful in patients with recurrent obscure gastrointestinal bleeding?

GOALS

To evaluate the usefulness of repeat double balloon endoscopy (DBE) in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).

BACKGROUND

OGIB recurs in 11% to 42% of patients after DBE. Little is known about the outcome of repeat DBE in recurrent OGIB after DBE.

STUDY

We reviewed clinical course of patients who underwent repeat DBE for recurrent OGIB in the same direction as in previous DBE. Diagnostic yield and therapeutic intervention of repeat DBE were analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty-five repeat DBEs were performed in 32 patients (M:F=15:17; age range, 36 to 85 y). The first DBE identified a probable bleeding source in 21 (65.6%) patients. Angiodysplasia was the most common and was found in 16 patients. The second DBEs were performed after a median of 30 weeks (range, 1 to 204 wk). Oral approach only was performed in 28 patients and anal approach only in 4. Probable bleeding sources were detected in 17 (53.1%) patients. Sixteen (94.1%) cases were angiodysplasia, of which 14 patients had angiodysplasia also at the first DBE. All detected bleeding sources were managed with endoscopic interventions such as argon plasma coagulation. Seventeen of 21 patients with positive first DBE showed bleeding source at the repeat DBE, whereas none of the 11 patients with negative first DBE did (81.0% vs. 0%; P<0.001). Three patients underwent the third DBE. Angiodysplasias were detected in 2 patients (66.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Repeat DBE in the same direction may detect bleeding sources in 53% of recurrent OGIB patients. The probability of bleeding source detection in repeat DBE is higher in patients with a prior positive DBE.

Endoscopic techniques for small bowel imaging

Advances in small bowel enteroscopy have led to an increase in the endoscopic evaluation and management of small bowel disorders. The entire small bowel can now be visualized in a noninvasive manner by capsule endoscopy, while therapeutic management can be performed with deep enteroscopy techniques, including balloon-assisted and spiral enteroscopy. Each of these enteroscopy tools has its unique advantages and disadvantages, which need to be taken into consideration during selection of the appropriate tool. Capsule endoscopy and deep enteroscopy are often used as complementary tests in the evaluation of small bowel disorders.

Double balloon enteroscopy can be safely done in elderly patients with significant co-morbidities

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Performance of double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) on older patients with comorbidities is a matter of safety. We aimed to investigate the utility and safety of DBE in older patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients 75 years or older who underwent DBE in our open-access endoscopy unit in a tertiary center. We analyzed the diagnostic yield, therapeutic intervention, and safety including complications of DBE.

RESULTS

Four scheduled DBEs were canceled because of poor conditions. Two hundred and fourteen DBEs were performed in 167 elderly patients. All DBEs were performed under monitored anesthesia care using intravenous propofol administered by anesthesiologists. One half of the patients were male (female : male = 80:87). The mean age of patients was 80.1 ± 3.7 years. Co-morbidity of significant chronic diseases was noted in 208 (97.2%) DBEs. Fifty-one (23.8%) DBEs were performed in patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II, 151 (70.6%) DBEs with ASA class III, and 12 (5.6%) DBEs with ASA class IV. The most common indication was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. The mean DBE procedure time was 131 ± 51 min. Abnormalities were detected in 129 (60.3%) DBEs with therapeutic interventions performed in 83 (38.8%) cases. Pancreatitis, hypoxia, and aspiration pneumonia developed after three (1.4%), three (1.4%), and two (0.9%) DBEs, respectively, all of which resolved with conservative care.

CONCLUSIONS

Double balloon enteroscopy can be done with acceptable safety in the elderly with high ASA class. DBE shows a high diagnostic yield and can deliver many therapeutic applications.

Small bowel endoscopy for obscure GI bleeding

Advancements in small bowel endoscopy have revolutionized the investigation and management of obscure GI bleeding. Capsule endoscopy and double balloon endoscopy, followed more recently by single balloon endoscopy and spiral enteroscopy, have progressed into established technologies that have now become integrated within clinical practice. As such, small bowel endoscopy research has matured to focus less on immediate endoscopic findings and ever increasingly on important clinical outcomes with long-term follow-up. The purpose of this paper is to review the role of small bowel endoscopy in obscure GI bleeding, while providing insights that may help guide clinicians in their decision-making.

Usefulness of double balloon endoscopy in patients with surgically distorted intestinal anatomy

BACKGROUND

Double balloon endoscopy (DBE) is a new endoscopic method with the capability for complete observation of whole small bowel. This study evaluated the feasibility and usefulness of DBE for the diagnosis and therapy of small bowel diseases in patients with distorted intestinal anatomy by previous surgeries.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2005 to August 2007, 15 patients with Roux-en-Y anastomosis underwent DBE in Asan Medical Center. Eight were men and the median age was 57 years (range, 40 to 68 y). Indications of DBE were suspected small bowel bleeding, chronic diarrhea, and recurrent acute pancreatitis. The main outcome measurements included completeness of the observation of afferent loop and DBE findings.

RESULTS

Because 1 patient underwent DBE twice separately owing to recurrent bleeding, a total of 16 cases were analyzed. The observation of afferent loop was complete in 13 (81%) of 16 cases. The overall diagnostic yield of DBE was 69% (11/16). Out of 11 cases in which DBE detected abnormalities, 6 (55%) showed definite lesions and 5 (45%) probable lesions. Of the 11 cases in which abnormalities were found, 7 (64%) showed lesions in afferent loop. Of the 6 cases in which definite lesions were found, 4 (67%) showed lesions in afferent loop. Therapeutic endoscopic procedures were performed in 4 cases, which include argon plasma coagulation, foreign body removal, and endoscopic nasobiliary drainage.

CONCLUSIONS

DBE in patients with distorted intestinal anatomy such as Roux-en-Y anastomosis is a useful tool for the management of small bowel lesions, especially those in the afferent loop.

Enteroscopy in the diagnosis and management of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

Capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted enteroscopy, have revolutionized our approach to the diagnosis and management of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, largely replacing intraoperative enteroscopy and conventional barium studies. Despite its limitations, capsule endoscopy may well be the most reasonable initial diagnostic strategy to evaluate most patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, leaving balloon-assisted enteroscopy in reserve as a complementary tool. This article reviews the data on enteroscopy, with particular emphasis on the use of capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted enteroscopy for the diagnosis and management of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Enteroscopy

Until the end of the 20th century, push enteroscopy (PE) was the most commonly used method for the endoscopic investigation of the small bowel. However, PE has been almost completely replaced by double balloon enteroscopy (DBE). Undoubtedly the major endoscopic breakthrough of the last decade, DBE has contributed to the better diagnosis and understanding of diseases of the small bowel, opening-up this obscure part of the gastrointestinal tract to visualisation. Modern diagnostic and therapeutic DBE allows for a deeper and more thorough evaluation of the small bowel than PE, enabling the detection of more pathological lesions. In addition, DBE has for the first time enabled endoscopists to observe the entire small intestine, and has provided endoscopic interventions such as cauterisation of bleeding lesions, polypectomy, placement of small bowel stents, and foreign-body extraction.