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Retained Capsule Endoscope
Jayalaxmi S Aihole1, G S Vishnumurthy, M Narendra Babu
1Departments of Pediatric Surgery and *Paediatric Gastroenterology, IGICH Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Correspondence to: Dr Jayalaxmi S Aihole, Department of Pediatric surgery, IGICH, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. jayalaxmisaihole@yahoo.com.
Insights
Capsule endoscopy is a valuable tool for visualizing the small intestine. However, its use in children requires careful consideration due to potential risks like impaction, as seen in this protein-losing enteropathy case.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Minimally Invasive Diagnostics
Background:
- Capsule endoscopy offers non-invasive visualization of the small intestine, primarily established for adult diagnostics.
- Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a condition characterized by excessive protein loss into the gastrointestinal tract.
Observation:
- A pediatric patient with generalized edema and suspected PLE underwent capsule endoscopy.
- Standard investigations, including upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, and CT scans, yielded normal results.
- The capsule was retained for over three weeks.
Findings:
- Laparoscopy identified the retained capsule impacted within a dilated intestinal loop.
- An ileal stricture was found to be the cause of the capsule impaction.
- This highlights a significant risk associated with capsule endoscopy in pediatric patients.
Implications:
- Capsule endoscopy in children necessitates careful patient selection and risk assessment.
- The potential for impaction due to underlying gastrointestinal abnormalities must be considered.
- Judicious use is recommended to ensure patient safety and diagnostic efficacy.
Background:
Capsule endoscopy was invented to visualize the entire small intestine in a non- invasive manner in adults.
Case Characteristics:
1 y, 9 mo-old boy presented with generalized edema for last 3 months. His routine investigations, including the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, and contrast enhanced computed tomography scan (CECT) were normal. In view of clinical suspicion of protein losing enteropathy, we planned capsule endoscopy.
Observation:
The capsule was not passed even after 3 weeks. Laparoscopy revealed impacted capsule in a dilated intestinal loop proximal to an ileal stricuture.
Message:
Capsule endoscopy should be used judiciously in children.
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