Sequential endoscopic balloon dilations using a calibrated small-caliber-tip transparent hood for a patient with 10 ileal strictures secondary to Crohn’s disease

Patients with Crohnʼs disease may have multiple strictures of the small intestine, and surgical resection can lead to short-bowel syndrome. Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) is an alternative treatment to avoid surgical resection [1]; however, it is considered challenging to perform EBDs of multiple strictures. The calibrated small-caliber-tip transparent (CAST) hood (TOP Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) ([Fig. 1]) [2] makes it easier to insert a guidewire and a balloon catheter through a stricture. The CAST hood enables measurement of the strictureʼs inner diameter ([Fig. 2]), which is an important factor in choosing the appropriate size of balloon catheter for EBD. Although the passage through dilated strictures is frequently difficult, the CAST hood makes it easier to pass through post-EBD strictures. Therefore, the CAST hood makes it easier to perform EBDs of multiple strictures.

Fig. 1 Photographs showing: a a close-up view of the calibrated small-caliber-tip transparent (CAST) hood; b the device fitted to the tip of a therapeutic-type double-balloon endoscope (EN-580T; Fujifilm, Tokyo, Japan).

Fig. 2 Endoscopic view showing how the calibrated small-caliber-tip transparent (CAST) hood has calibration lines at 7, 8, and 9 mm on its outer wall, which enables measurement of the inner diameter of a stricture.

Furthermore, endoscopic enteroclysis during double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) is helpful to evaluate multiple strictures. We can perform endoscopic enteroclysis more effectively by inflating the endoscope-tipped balloon, which blocks the backflow of contrast medium that is injected via the scope channel.

We here report a case involving multiple strictures treated by sequential EBDs. A 58-year-old man with Crohn’s disease, with previous episodes of bowel obstruction, underwent a retrograde DBE. We found an ulcerated stricture at 35 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. Endoscopic enteroclysis, in combination with the water exchange method, revealed a total of 10 strictures ([Fig. 3 a]). Six months after remission induction therapy, we successfully performed sequential EBDs using DBE plus a CAST hood, resulting in the dilation of all 10 strictures up to 13.5 mm in a single procedure ([Fig. 3 b]; [Video 1]). After this treatment, the patient’s obstructive symptoms disappeared.

Fig. 3 Radiographic images during retrograde double-balloon endoscopy showing: a 10 strictures revealed on endoscopic enteroclysis in a man with Crohnʼs disease; b after 6 months of induction therapy, dilation of all 10 strictures up to 13.5 mm by sequential endoscopic balloon dilation using the calibrated small-caliber-tip transparent (CAST) hood.

Video 1 Sequential endoscopic balloon dilations using a calibrated small-caliber-tip transparent (CAST) hood for a patient with 10 ileal strictures secondary to Crohn’s disease.

In conclusion, the CAST hood facilitates sequential EBDs for multiple strictures secondary to Crohn’s disease. With the use of this method, the need for surgical intestinal resection might be avoided, even in patients with multiple strictures.

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Competing interests

Y. Hayashi and H. Yamamoto have patents for the calibrated small-caliber-tip transparent hood. H. Yamamoto also has patents for double-balloon endoscopy and is a consultant for Fujifilm. T. Yano and H. Sakamoto have received research funding and honoraria from Fujifilm. The remaining authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Despott EJ, Gupta A, Burling D. et al. Effective dilation of small-bowel strictures by double-balloon enteroscopy in patients with symptomatic Crohnʼs disease (with video). Gastrointest Endosc 2009; 70: 1030-1036
• 2 Hayashi Y, Yamamoto H, Yano T. et al. A calibrated, small-caliber tip, transparent hood to aid endoscopic balloon dilation of intestinal strictures in Crohnʼs disease: successful use of prototype. Endoscopy 2013; 45: E373-E374

Publication History

Article published online:
15 February 2022