Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
Structured Approach to Colonoscopy Technique Optimization: A Single-Center Experience with Novice Endoscopists
Published on: July 11, 2025
Double-balloon enteroscopy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: a single center experience in China
Li Hua Chen1, Wen Guo Chen, Hai Jun Cao
1Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China.
Insights
Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a safe and effective tool for diagnosing obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). This procedure accurately identifies causes like small bowel tumors and angiodysplasia, improving patient diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Diagnostic Endoscopy
Background:
- Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) presents a diagnostic challenge.
- Timely diagnosis is crucial for effective management of OGIB.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic utility of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in patients with OGIB.
- To determine the safety and accuracy of DBE for identifying the source of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 75 patients with OGIB who underwent DBE between January 2007 and June 2009.
- Evaluation of diagnostic yield, complications, and identified causes of bleeding.
Main Results:
- DBE was successfully performed in all 75 patients without complications.
- Positive findings were observed in 58.7% of patients.
- Commonly diagnosed causes included small bowel tumors (28.0%), angiodysplasia (18.7%), and Crohn's disease (10.7%).
- Lesions were more frequent in the proximal small bowel (49.3%) than the distal (33.3%).
Conclusions:
- Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a safe, effective, and accurate endoscopic procedure for diagnosing obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).
- DBE facilitates the identification of various small bowel pathologies contributing to OGIB.
Aim:
To evaluate the diagnostic value of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).
Methods:
The data about 75 OGIB patients who underwent DBE in January 2007-June 2009 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.
Results:
DBE was successfully performed in all 75 patients without complication. Of the 75 patients, 44 (58.7%) had positive DBE findings, 22 had negative DBE findings but had potential bleeding at surgery and capsule endoscopy, etc. These 66 patients were finally diagnosed as OGIB which was most commonly caused by small bowel tumor (28.0%), angiodysplasia (18.7%) and Crohn's disease (10.7%). Lesions occurred more frequently in proximal small bowel than in distal small bowel (49.3% vs 33.3%, P = 0.047).
Conclusion:
DBE is a safe, effective and accurate procedure for the diagnosis of OGIB.
