Value of a diagnostic criterion of capsule endoscopy for small bowel Crohn's disease

Abstract

Objective To investigate the value of a diagnostic criterion of capsule endoscopy （CE） for small bowel Crohn＇s disease （CD）. Methods The clinical data of 50 patients with suspected CD who underwent CE from March 2003 to October 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. Diagnoses were made based on a criterion proposed by De Bona et al. Patients were grouped and followed up for 1 to 5 years. Results A total of 50 patients were enrolled and divided into 3 groups according to the results of CE. Group A includ- ed 25 patients as having small intestine CD on CE, in which 3 received surgery and was confirmed by pathol- ogy, and the other 22 got improved after treatments for CD. Group B was comprised of 15 patients who were clinically diagnosed as small intestinal CD and received experimental treatments, in which 13 patients im- proved and 2 others received surgery and were confirmed to be small intestine diverticula. Patients in group C （n = 10） were diagnosed as non-specific enteritis and received medication of Bifico and metronidazole for at least 3 months. All patients were followed up for 1 to 5 years and no recurrence was observed. Conclusion This diagnostic criterion of CE for small bowel CD enables early diagnosis of the disease. Key words: Diagnosis; Small intestinal Crohn＇s disease; Capsule endoscopy