Video Capsule Endoscopy Examination Research Articles

P138 The use of video capsule endoscopy (vce) in patinets with a new diagnosis of Crohn's disease: the experience of one center

Abstract Background Crohn’s disease can involve any segment of the gastrointestinal tract, with terminal ileum being the most common affected part. The wireless or video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is a valuable diagnostic tool in detecting lesions in the small bowel beyond terminal ileum. The findings of the procedure in combination with other clinical, endoscopic and laboratory factors can determine the therapeutic plan. Herein, we analyzed the findings of VCE in patients with suspicious or definite Crohn’s disease, and assessed its contribution to the therapeutic plan. Methods We evaluated these parameters in a retrospective analysis of 127 patients who underwent wireless capsule endoscopy in our department since June 2020. Results 49/127 patients (51% male) were included in the study. The mean age was 40.24 years (SD ±14.30, IQR= 73–15). The majority of them (93.9 %) presented with a newly diagnosed Crohn’s disease or terminal ileitis. The VCE examination was performed to detect any other lesions in the small bowel. 6.1% had chronic diarrhea without endoscopic findings. 57.1% had findings of Crohn’s disease across the entire small bowel, 26.6% had sparse ulcers in the terminal ileum. In 12.2% multiple aphthous ulcers and edema were found in the terminal ileum and 4.1% had no findings. After VCE examination, initiation of treatment was considered in 57.1%. Magnetic enterography (MRE) was performed in 24.5% of the patients. VCE showed more extended lesions in the small bowel compared to MRE which showed non-specific terminal ileitis up to 15 cm in all patients. Conclusion In patients with mild terminal ileitis wireless capsule endoscopy reveals extended lesions in the small bowel leading to adjustments in the therapeutic plan. In patients with newly diagnosed or suspected Crohn’s disease, VCE can contribute to the assessment of the severity and location of the lesions as well as to the therapeutic plan.

S1563 ACE Inhibitor Use Is Associated With Angioectasias on Video Capsule Endoscopy (VCE) in Patients With Iron Deficiency Anemia

Introduction: Small bowel bleeding poses a clinical challenge in patients with vascular lesions. Bleeding recurrence after endoscopic therapy is high and medical therapies have limited efficacy. In those with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) has been associated with a reduced rate of gastrointestinal bleeding. Conversely, the antiplatelet effects of ACEi have been described thought due to their effects in decreasing platelet aggregation. Our aim was to determine whether ACEi or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy had an impact on the rate of positive VCE small bowel findings in those with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Methods: Data was collected from consecutive inpatient and outpatient VCE examinations performed between January 1, 2009 to March 1, 2018 at a single U.S. tertiary medical center performed for IDA. VCE studies were excluded in those with incomplete small bowel examinations (9) or technical failure (1). Patient demographics, laboratory values, medication use and endoscopic findings were recorded. VCE findings were based on the P0-P2 grading system. The primary outcome of interest was a positive (P2) VCE. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables and Fischer’s exact test for dichotomous variables. Bivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent factors predictive of positive VCE. Results: Eighty-two VCE were included in the final analysis. Median age was 67.6 (IQR: 57.1-75.5) years and 38 (46.3%) patients were male. Thirty-seven (45.1%) VCE examinations were positive with the most common finding of angiectasia in 21 (55.3%). Risk factors for positive VCE are listed in Table 1. In univariate analysis, ACEi therapy associated with both positive VCE (P=0.014) and the presence of angiectasia (P=0.021), whereas ARB therapy did not associate with positive VCE. ACEi findings remained significant in bivariate analysis after controlling for cardiac and pulmonary comorbidities. Conclusion: In this single center study the presence of ACEi use was associated with small bowel and/or stomach angiectasias on VCE in univariate analysis and when controlled for cardiac and pulmonary risk factors. Further studies are required to determine the mechanistic impact of ACEi on gastrointestinal bleeding risk such as the reduction in von Willebrand factor or factors that affect platelet aggregation. Table 1. - Univariate predictors of positive video capsule endoscopy in iron deficiency anemia Negative VCE (n = 45) Positive VCE (n =37) P-value Age, years, mean (SD) 63.6 (15.8) 68.6 (9.3) 0.303 Male sex, n (%) 21 (46.7) 17 (46) 1 White race, n (%) 22 (48.9) 20 (54.1) 0.223 Active smoking, n (%) 6 (14) 11 (29.7) 0.105 Outpatient location, n (%) 31 (68.9) 21 (56.8) 0.357 Chronic kidney disease, n (%) 10 (22.2) 13 (35.1) 0.224 Chronic liver disease, n (%) 3 (6.7) 4 (10.8) 0.696 Congestive heart failure, n (%) 10 (22.2) 13 (35.1) 0.224 Diabetes mellitus, n (%) 15 (33.3) 15 (40.5) 0.645 Cardiac valvular disease, n (%) 7 (15.6) 6 (16.2) 1 Coronary artery disease, n (%) 14 (31.1) 14 (37.8) 0.641 Cardiac arrhythmia, n (%) 10 (22.2) 18 (48.7) 0.019 Chronic lung disease, n (%) 10 (22.2) 13 (35.1) 0.224 Left ventricular assist device, n (%) 2 (4.4) 2 (5.4) 1 Blood transfusion in the preceding 4 weeks, n (%) 17 (37.8) 16 (43.2) 0.656 Aspirin, n (%) 20 (44.4) 14 (37.8) 0.654 Thienopyridine, n (%) 3 (6.7) 2 (5.4) 1 Coumadin, n (%) 1 (2.2) 5 (13.5) 0.086 SSRI/SNRI, n (%) 7 (15.6) 9 (24.3) 0.404 ACEi 7 (15.6) 15 (40.5) 0.014 ARB 9 (20) 7 (18.9) 1 Hemoglobin, g/dL1 9.9 (1.7) 9.2 (2.3) 0.216 Platelets, 109/L1 225.4 (67.5) 208.6 (84.9) 0.202 BUN, mg/dL1 21.9 (13.1) 26.7 (22) 0.869 Creatinine, mg/dL1 1.3 (0.5) 1.9 (1.5) 0.197 Ferritin, ng/mL,1 128 (259) 39.6 (28.7) 0.966 Percent saturation, %1 14.8 (15.1) 13.7 (15.4) 0.76

Video Capsule Endoscopy after Bariatric Surgery: A Tertiary Referral Center Experience

Background and Aim: Minimal data are available regarding the performance of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) in patients who underwent bariatric surgery. We aimed to report indications, feasibility, and safety of VCE performed after bariatric surgery, specifically focusing on diagnosis rates of Crohn’s disease (CD) in this population. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all VCE procedures was performed between January 2015 and December 2019. All patients who underwent bariatric surgery prior to VCE were included. Indication for VCE, ingestion methods, completion rates, retention rates, and endoscopic findings were recorded. Results: A total of 1,255 patients underwent VCE examination during the study period, of which 31 (2.5%) underwent bariatric surgery prior to VCE. The most common bariatric surgery was laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (16 patients, 51.6%), and the most common indication for VCE was evaluation of iron deficiency anemia (14 patients, 45.1%). The majority of patients ingested the capsule independently, without endoscopic assistance (20, 64.5%). Although a patency capsule was not used in our cohort, no events of capsule retention were documented. Mean transit time was 4.32 h. Only 4 events of incomplete examination were recorded. Over a median follow-up of 27.5 months (IQR 13.0–34.2), 10 patients (31.2%) had a final diagnosis of CD with a median Lewis score of 225 (IQR 135–900). Conclusion: VCE is a feasible and safe procedure after bariatric surgery. Oral ingestion does not carry risk of retention. It is an effective means of diagnosis of small-bowel CD in this population.

Value of the diving method for capsule endoscopy in the examination of small-intestinal disease: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is limited by poor image quality and incomplete small-bowel transit. This study was designed to evaluate the diving method for VCE in the examination of small-intestinal disease. From July 2017 to September 2017, eligible patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups, the diving group and the control group. For the diving group, 500 mL of water was administered every hour when the capsule reached the small bowel. The primary outcomes were image quality and positive findings. Secondary outcomes were the completion rate of examination, gastric transit time (GTT), small-bowel transit time (SBTT), lesion detection rate, adverse events, and patient satisfaction. One hundred forty patients were included. The scores of endoscopic images in the proximal third andmiddle third of the small bowel in the diving group were significantly higher than that in the control group (3.47 ± .60 vs 3.11 ± .63 [P= .007] and 3.24 ± .59 vs 2.78 ± .74 [P= .002], respectively). The positive findings in the distal third of the small bowel were significantly different between the 2 groups (P= .005). The completion rate in the diving group was significantly higher (92.19% vs 76.32%, respectively; P= .012). The GTT, SBTT, and lesion detection rate were similar in 2 groups (P= .282, .067, and .577, respectively). No discomfort or adverse events were reported except for a few cases of frequent urination. The diving method for VCE examination effectively improves the endoscopic view in the proximal and middle thirds of the small bowel and the positive findings in the distal small intestine and increases the completion rate. (Clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR-RDR-17011823.).

The characteristics of video capsule endoscopy in pediatric Henoch\u2013Sch\xf6nlein purpura with gastrointestinal symptoms

BackgroundHenoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a systemic small-vessel vasculitis also named IgA vasculitis that commonly affects the gastrointestinal tract. The video capsule endoscopy (VCE) characteristics of pediatric HSP patients are rarely reported.MethodsPatients diagnosed with HSP and analyzed by VCE examination at our hospital from February 2010 to January 2020 are enrolled. The clinical features, laboratory findings, and the characteristics of VCE findings are studied.ResultsThere are 30 patients enrolled in this investigation from February 2010 to January 2020. The mean age of these patients is 96.9 ± 35.8 months, and the most frequent finding of VCE is mucosal erosion, which account for 79.3% of the patients, and followed by mucosal erythema or petechia accounted for 69% of the patients. Regarding the disease location detected by endoscopy, jejunum is the most common involved part of the gastrointestinal tract in pediatric HSP patients. All the patients had the jejunum involved except in one patient the VCE did not pass through the pylorus. One third of the patients involved the descending portion of duodenum. No side effect is observed in this study.ConclusionsVCE may be an excellent adjust tool for evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract in children with abdominal symptoms without typical purpura in suspected pediatric HSP patients. VCE appears to be superior to esophagogastroduodenoscopy in detecting small intestinal lesions of HSP and has an excellent safety profile.

Clinical Performance of New Software to Automatically Detect Angioectasias in Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy

Background: Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) revolutionized the diagnosis and management of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, though the rate of detection of small bowel lesions by the physician is still disappointing. Our group developed a novel algorithm (CMEMS-Uminho) to automatically detect angioectasias which display greater accuracy in VCE static frames than other methods previously published. We aimed to evaluate the algorithm overall performance and assess its diagnostic yield and usability in clinical practice. Methods: Algorithm overall performance was determined using 54 full-length VCE recordings. To assess its diagnostic yield and usability in clinical practice, 38 VCE examinations with the clinical diagnosis of angioectasias consecutively performed (2017–2018) were evaluated by three physicians with different experiences. The CMEMS-Uminho algorithm was also applied. The performance of the CMEMS-Uminho algorithm was defined by a positive concordance between a frame automatically selected by the software and a study independent capsule endoscopist. Results: Overall performance in complete VCE recordings was 77.7%, and diagnostic yield was 94.7%. There were significant differences between physicians in regard to global detection rate (p < 0.001), detection rate per capsule (p < 0.001), diagnostic yield (p = 0.007), true positive rate (p < 0.001), time (p < 0.001), and speed viewing (p < 0.001). The application of CMEMS-Uminho algorithm significantly enhanced all readers’ global detection rate (p < 0.001) and the differences between them were no longer observed. Conclusion: The CMEMS-Uminho algorithm detained a good overall performance and was able to enhance physicians’ performance, suggesting a potential usability of this tool in clinical practice.

Active Smoking Is Associated with Positive Video Capsule Endoscopy for Iron Deficiency Anemia

Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) occurs in 2-5% of adult men and postmenopausal women accounting for 4-13% of referrals to a gastroenterologist. Following upper and lower endoscopy, video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is recommended in cases with an inadequate response to iron therapy or requirement of transfusion. This study aims to define clinical predictive factors for positive VCE in the setting of IDA in order to improve recommendations for the performance of VCE. Methods: Data was collected fromconsecutive inpatient and outpatient VCE examinations performed between January 1, 2009 to March 1, 2018 from two U.S. tertiary medical centers. VCE studies were excluded for being incomplete (15), technical failures (4) or for being performed for indications other than IDA (158). Patient demographics, laboratory values, medication use and endoscopic findings were obtained for additional analysis. VCE findings were based on the P0-P2 grading system. The primary outcome of interest was a positive (P2) VCE. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables and Fischer's exact test for dichotomous variables. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent factors predictive of positive VCE. Results: Five-hundred thirty-six VCE were included in the final analysis. One-hundred forty-nine (27.8%) were positive examinations (P2). Two-hundred seventy (50.3%) cases were performed as inpatient examinations with a median time to VCE of 4 days (IQR: 2-6). Risk factors for positive VCE are listed in Table 1. In multivariate analysis, active smoking (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.04-3.28) and hemoglobin (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.69-0.89) were predictive of positive VCE. Among active smokers, 36/85 (42.4%) VCE were positive as compared to 112/446 (25.1%) positive VCE among non-smokers. Conclusion: Positive VCE for IDA is associated with active smoking in univariate and multivariate analysis and inversely related to pre-procedure hemoglobin. Identifying a modifiable target allows for interventions aimed at reducing anemia recurrence. Future studies should focus on the role of smoking cessation programs for recurrent IDA.1170 Figure 1. Univariate and multivariate analysis.

Long-term effects of video capsule endoscopy in the management of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) accounts for approximately 5% of all gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhages. It usually arises from a small bowel lesion beyond the reach of conventional endoscopy including esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy. Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) revolutionized the evaluation of OGIB patients since it allows reliable and noninvasive visualization of the small bowel mucosal surface. Since 2001, VCE has evolved into an efficient technology integrated in clinical practice. It is the cornerstone in the algorithm of OGIB investigation given its high diagnostic yield, which compares favorably to that of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE). In terms of outcomes, a positive index VCE examination usually correlates to a high re-bleeding rate, while a negative one provides adequate evidence of low re-bleeding risk, suggesting a wait and watch approach in this subset of patients. Additionally, a variety of factors has been acknowledged as significant predictors of re-bleeding episodes. While research data regarding immediate endoscopic findings have matured, data concerning the clinical utility of VCE in patients with OGIB on the long-term remain sparse. This manuscript reviews the current literature, aiming to highlight the role of VCE in the long-term management of OGIB.

Increased Intestinal Permeability in Relatives of Patients With Crohn's Disease Is Not Associated With Small Bowel Ulcerations.

Many first-degree relatives of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) have increased intestinal permeability. Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is the most sensitive imaging test to identify small bowel mucosal lesions that could indicate subclinical CD. We aimed to estimate the association of increased intestinal permeability with small bowel ulcerations detectable by VCE in healthy first-degree relatives of patients with CD. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 223 healthy, asymptomatic first-degree relatives of patients with CD (parents, siblings, and children; 9-45 years old) enrolled at the University of Alberta between 2009 and 2012. Patients were given the lactulose and mannitol test to measure small bowel permeability; we used high-performance liquid chromatography to measure concentrations of lactulose and mannitol in urine samples (increased permeability defined as a ratio of lactulose/mannitol 0.025 or greater). Patients with increased permeability (n= 39) and randomly selected subjects with normal permeability (n= 59) were then examined by VCE for signs of small bowel inflammation and subclinical CD. The prevalence of small bowel lesions was compared among groups. We performed logistic regression analyses to estimate odds ratios for the association of small bowel ulcerations with intestinal permeability. Among 223 first-degree relatives of patients with CD, 30% were found to have increased intestinal permeability; VCE examination found 24% of subjects to have 3 or more small bowel ulcers. Three or more small bowel ulcers were detected in 28% of patients with increased intestinal permeability and 20% of patients with normal intestinal permeability (P= .37). The adjusted odds ratio for the association of 3 or more small bowel ulcers with increased intestinal permeability was 1.5 (95% confidence interval, 0.6-3.8; P= .46). Thirty percent of healthy, asymptomatic first-degree relatives of patients with CD have increased intestinal permeability. However, a strong association of small bowel ulceration seen on VCE with increased intestinal permeability was not observed.

Different effects of anti-TNF-alpha biologic drugs on the small bowel macroscopic inflammation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Considering the ability of anti-TNF alpha drugs to lower the burden intestinal inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the similarity between IBD and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) regarding inflammatory intestinal involvement, we aimed to investigate the impact of anti-TNF alpha biologic therapy on subclinical intestinal inflammation in AS patients. Between January 2008 and December 2013, 38 AS patients and 23 controls were enrolled in the study and investigated with small bowel videocapsule endoscopy examination and ileocolonoscopy. Each tertile of the small bowel (proximal, mid and distal) was assessed by calculating the Lewis score based on the image stream. The Lewis scores were significantly higher in the AS group compared to controls (580.9 ± 818 vs. 81 ± 121, p<0.001). 16 patients (42.1%) were on anti-TNF alpha therapy (Adalimumab (n = 5), Infliximab (n = 5) or Etanercept (n = 6)).31.3% of them used NSAIDs simultaneously, compared with 77.3% of the other patients (p<0.01). Their Lewis scores were lower compared to the other patients for the entire small bowel (306 ± 164 vs. 790 ± 1038, p = 0.015), its proximal and distal tertiles (238 ± 154 vs. 560 ± 543, p = 0.021, and 140 ± 189 vs. 300 ± 220, p = 0.027, respectively). The Lewis score was also lower in patients receiving Adalimumab/Infliximab compared to those on Etanercept for the entire bowel and its distal tertile (262 ± 165 vs. 380 ± 148, p = 0.069 and 62 ± 101 vs. 273 ± 236, p = 0.060, respectively). Anti-TNF alpha therapy in patients with AS reduces the subclinical intestinal inflammation, but the magnitude seems to depend upon the class anti-TNF alpha agent used (Clinical Trials. gov NCT00768950).

A 13-year time trend analysis of 3724 small bowel video capsule endoscopies and a forecast model during the financial crisis in Greece.

Since its introduction, small bowel video capsule endoscopy (VCE) use has evolved considerably. Evaluation of the temporal changes of small bowel VCE utilization in three tertiary centers in Greece in Era 1 (2002-2009) and Era 2 (2010-2014) and the development a forecast model for future VCE use during 2015-2017. Data from all small bowel VCE examinations were retrieved and analyzed in terms of the annual number of the performed examinations, their indications and the significance of their findings. Overall, we evaluated 3724 VCE examinations. The number of studies peaked in 2009 (n=595) and then decreased to reach 225 in 2014. Overall, more (53.8 vs. 51.4%) patients with iron-deficiency anemia and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (IDA/OGIB) and fewer (10.7 vs. 14%) patients with chronic diarrhea were evaluated in Era 2 compared with Era 1 (P=0.046). In Era 2, there were more nondiagnostic examinations (39.5 vs. 29.3%, P<0.001), whereas the rate of cases with relevant findings decreased from 47.8 to 40.9%. According to the time trend analysis, we developed a forecast model with two scenarios: the pessimistic and the optimistic. Validation of the model with 2015 data showed that reality was close to the pessimistic scenario: the number of exams further decreased to 190, studies carried out for IDA/OGIB increased to 67%, and there were more negative than positive exams (40.7 vs. 39.2%). The number of VCE studies carried out after the emergence of the financial crisis decreased significantly and VCE indications were optimized. Our forecast model predicts lower numbers of VCE studies, with IDA/OGIB being the dominant indication. However, the predicted increase of negative exams requires further evaluation.

PTH-010 Outcomes After Use of Patency Capsules Prior to Video Capsule Endoscopy

Introduction Capsule retention is an important complication in patients attending for video capsule endoscopy (VCE). It may necessitate endoscopic, surgical or medical intervention. Successful passage of a Patency capsule (PC) predicts the safe passage of the video capsule in the majority of patients with a high risk of stricturing disease. The PC disintegrates after 30 h exposure to GI secretions. It contains a radiofrequency tag that can be detected by a hand-held scanner. Its position in the gastrointestinal tract may be misinterpreted if plain abdominal X-ray is used to assess the position of the PC. Its position can be reliably detected by a limited, targeted CT scan. This strategy has been associated with a requirement for targeted CT scan in 46% of patients attending for PC. 1 Methods This was a retrospective observational study performed in a tertiary referral centre. Data was collected on all patients undergoing patency capsule from July 2013 to October 2015, at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Patients attended the hospital 30 hours after ingestion of the PC. Patients with a PC detected by hand-held scanner underwent a targeted, limited CT scan to identify the position of the capsule. Patients were referred for VCE if the PC had passed into the colon. Results 101 patients underwent investigation with PC. The commonest indication for a patency capsule test was known or suspected IBD in 22/101 and 54/101 patients, respectively. 55 / 101 patients required a low dose CT scan to identify the site of PC within the GI tract. 10 of 101 patients failed to achieve passage of the PC (9.9%). 9/10 patients had suspected or known small bowel Crohn’s disease. 4/9 patients had undergone prior small bowel imaging. (3 MR small bowel examinations and one barium study.) One MR scan had suggested a possible short stricture, but with no pre-stenotic dilatation to suggest functional obstruction. Of the remaining 91 patients, 76 had VCE examination. In 8 (10.5%) examinations, the capsule failed to reach the caecum within the recording period. In all 8, the capsule subsequently passed. 42 of the 76 VCE examinations were reported as normal. Conclusion 54% of patient attending PC required a targeted low dose CT scan to identify the site of the PC in the GI tract. Suspected or known small bowel Crohn’s disease is a risk for failure of the PC to leave the small bowel. Small bowel imaging does not reliably predict successful passage of the PC which correlates with previous reports indicating that normal small bowel imaging may not exclude lesions that cause retention of the video capsule. No capsule retentions were identified in patients with a successful patency test, supporting its use as a test in patients with clinical characteristics that increase concerns for capsule retention. Reference 1 Assadsangabi A, et al . J Gastroenterol Hepatol . 2015; 30 (6):984–9 Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Usefulness of virtual chromoendoscopy in the evaluation of subtle small bowel ulcerative lesions by endoscopists with no experience in videocapsule.

Background and study aims: In videocapsule endoscopy examination (VCE), subtle variations in mucosal hue or pattern such as those seen in ulcerations can be difficult to detect, depending on the experience of the reader. Our aim was to test whether virtual chromoendoscopy (VC) techniques, designed to enhance the contrast between the lesion and the normal mucosa, could improve the characterization of ulcerative mucosal lesions. Patients and methods: Fifteen trainees or young gastroenterologists with no experience in VCE were randomly assigned to evaluate 250 true ulcerative and 100 false ulcerative, difficult-to-interpret small bowel lesions, initially as white light images (WLI) and then, in a second round, with the addition of one VC setting or again as WLI, labeling them as real lesions or artifacts. Results: On the overall image evaluation, an improvement in lesion characterization was observed by adding any chromoendoscopy setting, especially Blue mode and FICE 1, with increases in accuracy of 13 % [95 %CI 0.8, 25.3] and 7.1 % [95 %CI – 17.0, 31.3], respectively. However, when only false ulcerative images were considered, with the same presets (Blue mode and FICE 1), there was a loss in accuracy of 10.7 % [95 %CI – 10.9, 32.3] and 7.3 % [95 %CI – 1.3, 16.0], respectively. The interobserver agreement was poor for both readings. Conclusions: VC helps beginner VCE readers correctly categorize difficult-to-interpret small bowel mucosal ulcerative lesions. However, false lesions tend to be misinterpreted as true ulcerative with the same presets. Therefore care is advised in using VC especially under poor bowel preparation.

Video capsule endoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) has evolved to become an important tool for the non-invasive examination of the small bowel, which hitherto had been relatively inaccessible to direct visualisation. VCE has been shown to play a role in monitoring the activity of small bowel Crohn's disease and can be used to assess the response to anti-inflammatory treatment in Crohn's disease. For those patients with Crohn's disease who have undergone an intestinal resection, VCE has been assessed as a tool to detect post-operative recurrence. VCE may also aid in the reclassification of patients with a diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Unclassified to Crohn's disease. The evolution of colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) has expanded the application of this technology further. The use of CCE to assess the activity of ulcerative colitis has been described. This advance in capsule technology has also fuelled interest in its potential role as a minimally invasive tool to assess the whole of GI tract opening the possibility of its use for the panenteric assessment of Crohn's disease. VCE is a safe procedure. However, the risk of a retained capsule is higher in patients with suspected or confirmed Crohn's disease compared with patients having VCE examination for other indications. A retained video capsule is rare after successful passage of a patency capsule which may be utilised to pre-screen patients undergoing VCE. This paper describes the use of VCE in the assessment of inflammatory bowel disease.

ACG Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis and Management of Small Bowel Bleeding.

Bleeding from the small intestine remains a relatively uncommon event, accounting for ~5-10% of all patients presenting with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Given advances in small bowel imaging with video capsule endoscopy (VCE), deep enteroscopy, and radiographic imaging, the cause of bleeding in the small bowel can now be identified in most patients. The term small bowel bleeding is therefore proposed as a replacement for the previous classification of obscure GI bleeding (OGIB). We recommend that the term OGIB should be reserved for patients in whom a source of bleeding cannot be identified anywhere in the GI tract. A source of small bowel bleeding should be considered in patients with GI bleeding after performance of a normal upper and lower endoscopic examination. Second-look examinations using upper endoscopy, push enteroscopy, and/or colonoscopy can be performed if indicated before small bowel evaluation. VCE should be considered a first-line procedure for small bowel investigation. Any method of deep enteroscopy can be used when endoscopic evaluation and therapy are required. VCE should be performed before deep enteroscopy if there is no contraindication. Computed tomographic enterography should be performed in patients with suspected obstruction before VCE or after negative VCE examinations. When there is acute overt hemorrhage in the unstable patient, angiography should be performed emergently. In patients with occult hemorrhage or stable patients with active overt bleeding, multiphasic computed tomography should be performed after VCE or CTE to identify the source of bleeding and to guide further management. If a source of bleeding is identified in the small bowel that is associated with significant ongoing anemia and/or active bleeding, the patient should be managed with endoscopic therapy. Conservative management is recommended for patients without a source found after small bowel investigation, whereas repeat diagnostic investigations are recommended for patients with initial negative small bowel evaluations and ongoing overt or occult bleeding.

Prediction of patency capsule retention in known Crohn's disease patients by using magnetic resonance imaging

Evaluation of small-bowel patency is recommended before swallowing video capsule endoscopy to prevent capsule retention. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) to predict patency capsule (PC) retention in patients with Crohn's disease and to identify the most predictive imaging features for retention. Fifty-seven patients prospectively underwent MRE and PC. Two radiologists predicted PC retention. Interrater reliability was determined by using Cohen's κ coefficient. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for the predictions. Evaluation of the imaging features was done using the t test and receiver-operating characteristics; t-tests were also performed on the clinical parameters. The κ value for interrater reliability was 0.58. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the predictions by the 2 radiologists were 92.3%, 59%, 40%, 96.3%, and 100%, 52.3%, 38.2%, 100%, respectively. The maximal stricture length (9.7 ± 3.66 cm vs 7.0 ± 3.08 cm, P = .04) and the number of prestenotic dilations (1.9 ± 1.07 vs 1.0 ± 1.38, P = .03) were associated with PC retention. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves was 0.69 for the maximal stricture length and 0.751 for the number of prestenotic dilations. The phenotype of the disease was the only clinical parameter significantly correlated with PC retention. MRE has a high NPV and sensitivity for PC retention. When capsule retention is suggested by MRE, PC should be performed before the video capsule endoscopy examination. The maximal stricture length and the number of prestenotic dilations were found to be the most predictive imaging features for PC retention.

Long-Term Outcomes After Single-Balloon Enteroscopy: Are They Any Different from Double-Balloon Enteroscopy for Vascular Lesions?

Obscure GI bleeding is uncommon, accounting for approximately 5 % of all GI bleeding episodes [1]. With the advent of capsule endoscopy and introduction of balloon enteroscopy to the United States in 2004, endoscopic visualization of the small bowel has become feasible and successful. Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is associated with diagnostic yields of approximately 50–60 %, which exceed 70 % in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) [2]. Performance of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) prior to deep enteroscopy is associated with increased diagnostic yields. In an updated metaanalysis, the yield for DBE was 75 % when a prior VCE study was abnormal, but only 27 % after a negative VCE examination [3]. Single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) was subsequently introduced into US clinical practice in 2008 in an effort to reduce time and complexity of the double-balloon procedure. Instead of using a second balloon on the distal end of the enteroscope as an anchor when the overtube is advanced, the tip of the enteroscope is deflected during the SBE procedure, creating a ‘‘hook’’ which functions similarly to the second balloon on the DBE enteroscope. Although less data have been published regarding SBE outcomes compared with DBE, initial studies reported somewhat lower diagnostic yields, potentially due to decreased rates of total enteroscopy [4, 5]. Higher total enteroscopy rates and therapeutic interventions with DBE compared to SBE were reported when the enteroscope balloon was removed from the Fujinon system [6]. Nevertheless, a subsequent randomized controlled trial did not confirm these results [7]. In this issue of Digestive Diseases and Sciences, Kushnir et al. [8] from Washington University School of Medicine performed a retrospective cohort study in order to determine long-term outcomes after SBE. While longterm outcomes studies have been performed for DBE and are discussed below [9, 10], this literature contribution is the first long-term outcomes assessment for SBE. Given the conflicting data regarding efficacy of SBE compared to DBE, the major question is whether recurrent bleeding rates differ post-SBE compared to published rates postDBE. In this study, the authors reviewed 147 SBE examinations performed for the evaluation of OGIB between 2008 and 2010, following 110 (75 %) patients for a mean of 24 months post-procedure. Patients who participated in the follow-up phone calls or visits were more likely to have undergone SBE with positive findings in the small bowel leading to endoscopic therapy compared with patients who were lost to follow-up post-enteroscopy (69 vs. 35 %, p 0.001). Seventy percent of the patients had undergone VCE studies before the enteroscopy examination. Significant lesions in the small bowel including vascular, ulcerative, and/or suspected neoplasms were detected in 91 % of the patients undergoing capsule endoscopy. A source of bleeding was identified in 95/147 (65 %) SBE examinations including vascular lesions in 54 %, ulcers or erosions in 5 %, and small bowel masses in 3 %. Endoscopic therapy was performed in 76 (52 %) patients, and an additional eight were referred to surgery. Recurrent OGIB occurred in 50/110 (45 %) patients available for follow-up. The authors were unable to find any risk factors associated with recurrent OGIB including Charlson co-morbidity index score, although the number of patients with valvular heart disease (22 %) was small. Recurrent bleeding occurred overall in 31/76 (41 %) of patients with a source found on SBE, and in 19/34 (56 %) of patients with normal L. B. Gerson (&) Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA e-mail: lgersonmd@yahoo.com

847 The Usefulness of the Self-Dissolving Patency Capsule in the Prediction of the Intestinal Stricture in Patients With Crohn's Disease: a Prospective Study

Although the usefulness of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) for the diagnosis and management of Crohn's disease (CD) has been reported, the retention of VCE by intestinal stricture of CD is one of the obstacles in using VCE. In order to detect the intestinal stricture prior to VCE examination, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used. Recently, the self-dissolving “patency capsule (PatCap)” has been available to test the patency of small intestine. However the usefulness of PatCap in predicting the intestinal stricture in patients with CD is not clear yet.

Use and Misuse of Small Bowel Video Capsule Endoscopy in Clinical Practice

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) was introduced into the United States in 2000 and has significantly advanced the ability to visualize the small intestinal mucosa by using noninvasive technology. Compared with traditional imaging with small bowel barium imaging, the use of VCE has demonstrated the ability to enhance diagnostic yield in patients with suspected small bowel pathology by approximately 25%‐50% in patients with suspected small bowel disorders. 1‐3 Although the use of VCE has been recommended as the next step in patients with obscure gastrointestinal hemorrhage after a negative upper and/or lower endoscopic examination, 4 its use in other clinical scenarios such as small bowel inflammatory disorders may not be associated with similar diagnostic yields. The major complication associated with the use of VCE remains small bowel retention. Although the risk of this event is virtually nil in patients with obscure bleeding, it can approach 10% in patients with known inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). 5 A critical appraisement of appropriate use of this technology may help physicians and third-party payers to determine which subset of patients with suspected or known small bowel disorders would benefit the most from undergoing a VCE procedure. To critically examine the use of VCE in clinical practice, an evidence-based approach was performed by using the GRADE system, 6,7 and a critical review of the literature on capsule endoscopy was performed by using PubMed, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Database from 2000‐2012. The quality of evidence could range from high (implying that further research was unlikely to change the authors’ confidence in the estimate of the effect) to moderate (further research would be likely to have an impact on the confidence in the estimate of effect) or low (further research would be expected to have an important impact on the confidence in the estimate of the effect and would be likely to change the estimate). The strength of a recommendation was graded as strong when the desirable effects of an intervention clearly outweigh the undesirable effects and as conditional when there was uncertainty about the tradeoffs. The evidence-based statements generated from this review are shown in Table 1. Studies including more than 20 patients were included for each topic to increase data quality when metaanalyses or randomized controlled trials were not available.

Bleeding Dieulafoy’s-like lesions of the gut identified by capsule endoscopy

Dieulafoy's-like lesions (DLs-like) represent a cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, enteroscopy being the main diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. Frequently, more than one enteroscopy is needed to identify the bleeding vessel. In our practice, video capsule endoscopy (VCE) identified and guided therapy in four cases of DLs-like; three of them were localized on the small bowel. We report, for the first time, a diagnosis of colonic DL-like performed by colon capsule endoscopy. Two patients presented with severe cardiovascular disorders, being hemodynamically unstable during VCE examination. Based on the VCE findings, only one invasive therapeutic procedure per patient was necessary to achieve hemostasis. VCE and enteroscopy may be regarded as complementary procedures in patients with gut DLs-like.