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Role of videocapsule endoscopy for gastrointestinal bleeding
Cristina Carretero1, Ignacio Fernandez-Urien, Maite Betes
1Department of Gastroenterology, University of Navarra, Av. Pio XII 36, Pamplona 31008, Spain. ccarretero@unav.es
World Journal of Gastroenterology
|September 12, 2008
Summary
Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) can be challenging to diagnose. Videocapsule endoscopy (VCE) offers direct visualization of the small intestine, significantly improving the diagnostic yield for identifying bleeding sources.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and diagnostic imaging.
Background:
- Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is defined as persistent or recurrent bleeding after negative upper and lower endoscopies.
- Conventional diagnostic methods like endoscopy, arteriography, scintigraphy, and barium radiology have limitations, failing to identify the bleeding source in 5%-10% of cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze various diagnostic techniques for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).
- To detail the role and diagnostic yield of videocapsule endoscopy (VCE) in evaluating OGIB.
Main Methods:
- Review and analysis of established diagnostic modalities for OGIB.
- Focus on the application and effectiveness of videocapsule endoscopy (VCE) for small intestine visualization.
Main Results:
- The diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy (CE) for OGIB ranges widely from 38% to 93%.
- Higher diagnostic yields are observed in cases presenting with obscure-overt bleeding.
Conclusions:
- Videocapsule endoscopy (VCE) is a valuable tool for direct visualization of the small intestine mucosa.
- VCE enhances the diagnostic capability for identifying the source of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).
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