Guidelines for video capsule endoscopy: emphasis on Crohn's disease

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endoscopy
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) offers high-quality imaging of the small intestine, aiding in the investigation of disorders like Crohn's disease (CD).
• Despite frequent VCE use in Korea, evidence-based guidelines for its application in CD diagnosis were lacking.
• The Korean Gut Image Study Group identified a need for standardized approaches to VCE in small bowel disease diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop evidence-based guidelines for the appropriate use of VCE in diagnosing Crohn's disease (CD).
• To provide accurate information and suggest optimal testing strategies for small bowel diseases using VCE.
• To establish expert consensus on VCE's role in CD diagnosis within the Korean healthcare system.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search, evaluation, selection, and meta-analysis were conducted.
• Guidelines were developed by expert teams focusing on four key areas, including CD diagnosis.
• Draft guidelines underwent expert review and solicitation of opinions before finalization.

Main Results:

• Guidelines were established for the use of VCE in diagnosing Crohn's disease (CD).
• The guidelines cover key questions regarding VCE's role in CD diagnosis.
• A structured approach to VCE for small bowel disorders, particularly CD, has been proposed.

Conclusions:

• The developed guidelines are anticipated to enhance the diagnostic process for Crohn's disease (CD) in Korea.
• These guidelines provide a framework for the appropriate utilization of VCE in clinical practice.
• Future updates to the guidelines will be necessary as new evidence emerges.