Endoscopy 2008; 40(2): 140-146
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-995419
Endoscopy essentials

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Small-bowel endoscopy

G.  Gay1 , M.  Delvaux1
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine and Digestive Diseases, Hôpitaux de Brabois, CHU de Nancy, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France
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Publication History

Publication Date:
06 February 2008 (online)

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Introduction

The endoscopic examination of the small bowel or enteroscopy has reached maturity with the introduction of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) and double balloon enteroscopy (DBE). In adults, VCE has proven effective in the investigation of patients with obscure digestive bleeding (ODB), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and celiac disease 1 2 3. An Australian study published in 2006 4 showed the clinical usefulness of VCE in the diagnosis of small-bowel tumors, the prevalence of which seems to be underestimated in the literature. The use of VCE appears to significantly modify the management of patients with small-bowel tumors. Few studies have so far evaluated VCE in pediatric patients. Therefore, we would like to analyze and comment on an Italian study reporting a large experience of VCE in pediatric patients 5. Again, VCE appears to significantly influence the work-up of the patients. Since its introduction by Yamamoto et al. 6, DBE has been evaluated in several studies, with some investigators suggesting that VCE and DBE complement each other 7. A recent German study 8 reports the results of a large multicenter set of DBE therapeutic procedures, including technical aspects and complications.

References

M. Delvaux, MD 

Department of Internal Medicine and Digestive Pathology
CHU de Nancy - Hôpitaux de Brabois Adultes

Allée du Morvan
F-54511 Vandoeuvre les Nancy
France

Fax: +33-383-154012

Email: 106521.3337@compuserve.com