Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Biopsy Techniques with Transesophageal Ultrasound
Published on: November 21, 2023
Double-balloon Enteroscopy for Pediatric Patients: Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy in 257 Cases
Koji Yokoyama1, Tomonori Yano, Hideki Kumagai
1*Department of Pediatrics†Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology‡Department of Transplant Surgery§Department of Pediatric Surgery, Jichi Medical University.
Insights
Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a safe and effective tool for diagnosing pediatric small bowel disorders, including in children under 10. Therapeutic procedures require careful monitoring for potential complications, especially in younger patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Endoscopy
- Small Bowel Disorders
Background:
- Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is an advanced endoscopic technique for visualizing the small intestine.
- Limited data exists on the safety and efficacy of DBE in pediatric populations, particularly in children under 10 years old.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in pediatric patients.
- To specifically assess outcomes in children younger than 10 years undergoing DBE.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of a database of 3980 DBE procedures performed between September 2000 and September 2013.
- Included pediatric patients (under 18 years) and double-balloon endoscopic retrograde cholangioscopy (DBERC) procedures.
- Data analyzed included diagnostic yield, procedure success rates, and complication rates.
Main Results:
- 257 DBE procedures were performed in 117 pediatric patients (median age 12.5 years).
- Diagnostic yield for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and abdominal pain was 58.8%. DBERC success rate was 76.9%.
- Overall complication rate was 5.4% (10.4% in patients under 10). No severe complications related to insertion or sedation were noted.
Conclusions:
- DBE is a safe and feasible diagnostic tool for pediatric small bowel disorders, including in children under 10.
- Therapeutic DBE procedures, including DBERC, require heightened vigilance for potential complications, especially in younger children.
- Elevated serum amylase levels were observed following oral-route DBE.
Objectives:
The safety and efficacy of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in pediatric patients has not been well documented. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of DBE in children, especially those under 10.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed our database of DBE procedures performed between September 2000 and September 2013. Procedures performed in pediatric patients (under 18) were selected from a total of 3980, including double-balloon endoscopic retrograde cholangioscopy (DBERC).
Results:
Two hundred fifty-seven DBE procedures were performed in 117 pediatric patients (median age 12.5 years). Antegrade (oral-route) DBE was performed in 166 procedures including 104 DBERC procedures (lowest body weight 13.5 kg, youngest age 3 years), and retrograde (anal-route) DBE in 91 (lowest body weight 12.0 kg, youngest age 2 years). The overall diagnostic yield for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and abdominal pain was 58.8%. The purpose of DBERC was achieved in 76.9% of procedures. The overall complication rate in our series was 5.4% (1.9% with the DBERC cases removed); in patients under 10, it was 10.4% (7/67). No severe complications associated with enteroscope insertion and sedation were observed. Serum amylase levels tended to be elevated in patients who underwent oral-route DBE.
Conclusions:
DBE is safe and feasible for diagnostic evaluation of small bowel disorders in pediatric patients, even those younger than 10 years. Special attention for possible complications must, however, be paid during therapeutic DBE procedures, including DBERC, especially for patients under 10.
More Related Videos
05:56Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis
Published on: August 29, 2025
07:44Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage: Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Hepaticogastrostomy in Malignant Biliary Obstruction
Published on: March 25, 2022