Endoscopy 2003; 35(8): 688-689
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41520
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Capsule Endoscopy for the Evaluation of Patients with Chronic Abdominal Pain

E.  Bardan1 , M.  Nadler1 , Y.  Chowers1 , H.  Fidder1 , S.  Bar-Meir1
  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center and Tel-Aviv University, Sackler School of Medicine, Israel
Further Information

Publication History

Submitted 17 December 2002

Accepted after Revision after revision: 13 March 2002

Publication Date:
20 August 2003 (online)

Background and Study Aims: Chronic abdominal pain is a common complaint and in many patients even an extensive work-up does not reveal the cause for the pain. Given Imaging wireless capsule endoscopy is a new method for visualization of the entire small bowel. The aim of our study was to determine the role of capsule endoscopy in the evaluation of patients with unexplained chronic abdominal pain.Patients and Methods: 20 patients with chronic abdominal pain of 6 - 96 months' duration were enrolled in the study. They had had an extensive diagnostic work-up which was negative. Capsule endoscopy was performed in all patientsResults: Imaging of the small intestine was excellent and the colon was reached in 16 patients. In 14 patients the study was completely normal; in six patients the procedure revealed findings which were considered to be clinically insignificant. All patients tolerated the capsule well and had no adverse effects.Conclusion: Capsule endoscopy did not seem to have any significant clinical value in the evaluation of our patients with obscure chronic abdominal pain.

References

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S. Bar-Meir, M.D.

Department of Gastroenterology · Chaim Sheba Medical Center

Tel-Hashomer 52621 · Israel

Fax: +972-3-5303070

Email: barmeir@netvision.net.il