The characteristics of video capsule endoscopy in pediatric Henoch-Schönlein purpura with gastrointestinal symptoms

Gastrointestinal manifestations and pathogenesis in childhood immunoglobulin A vasculitis

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV), previously known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is the most common form of systemic vasculitis in childhood. The primary organs involved are the skin, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, joints, and kidneys. The spectrum of GI involvement in IgAV ranges from being mild and self-limited to severe manifestations often requiring surgical intervention. Galactose-deficient IgA1 on the immunoglobulin hinge region and its immune complexes are thought to play a central pathogenetic role in IgAV, however, an association between such molecules and specific GI mucosal damage remains unclear. GI endoscopy (both upper and lower) shows a variety of mucosal findings, many of which are not specific for IgAV. In upper GI endoscopy, however, the mucosal features can be diagnostic when found localized in the more distal part of upper GI tract (second and/or third parts of the duodenum). Abdominal computed tomography and capsule endoscopy have demonstrated that the small intestine is most commonly involved in IgAV. The GI mucosal involvement when evaluated microscopically shows IgA deposition which is histologically diagnostic. Conversely, leukocytoclastic vasculitis is less useful. Since the 1960s, cases of duodenojejunitis, in which IgAV was suspected but evident purpura was not dermatologically present, have often been labeled as "idiopathic". In a pediatric case series, IgA enteropathy, without dermatological manifestations (i.e., purpura), was reported to have similar symptoms, as well as endoscopic characteristics and immunohistological findings as in IgAV. Subsequently, several case reports provide additional supportive evidence that IgA enteropathy must be a variant of IgAV. Thus, the immunologically driven auto-immune vasculitis results in the symptom complex dependent on the organ system involved, and the subsequent clinical features which are manifested. Present classification criteria are useful and universally available for diagnosing IgAV. However, based upon current knowledge including IgA enteropathy, minor modification of the IgAV criteria is proposed in the review.

Clinical application and feasibility of capsule endoscopy in children at a medical center in central Taiwan

BACKGROUND PURPOSE

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a noninvasive examination for excellent visualization of small bowel mucosal lesions. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of CE in pediatric patients.

METHODS

From April 2014 to December 2022, CE procedures performed in children younger than 18 years of age at Taichung Veteran General Hospital were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Among 136 procedures, the completion rate was 95.6% (n = 130), with a median age of 14 years old. Suspicion or evaluation of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) (41%) was the most common indication for CE. Other common indications of CE were chronic unexplained abdominal pain (35%) and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding or iron deficiency anemia (21%). No procedure-related complications occurred. The diagnosis of those patients with incomplete study were CD with small bowel stricture, graft-versus-host disease and duodenal ulcers. A total of 86 CE procedures showed positive findings, and the overall diagnostic yield rate was 63.2%. Small bowel ulcers (65.12%) were the most common findings. Overall, 26.5% of CE examinations resulted in a new diagnosis and 44.9% of CE exams led to a change in therapy. For patients with IBD, CE findings resulted in an even higher therapeutic change rate of 48.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

CE is a safe and feasible diagnostic method to study the small intestine in children, especially for IBD. Incomplete study could be an indicator of positive finding and can potentially be a guide to identify the site of possible strictures.