Detection Rate and Clinical Relevance of Ink Tattooing during Balloon-Assisted Enteroscopy
C Römmele1, A Ebigbo1, M Schrempf2
1Department of Internal Medicine III, Klinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.
Gastroenterology Research and Practice
|December 13, 2017
Summary
Ink tattooing during balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) is safe and effective for marking small bowel lesions. This endoscopic marking aids in subsequent procedures like capsule endoscopy and re-enteroscopy, improving diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Endoscopy
- Small Bowel Imaging
Background:
- Balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) is crucial for diagnosing and treating small bowel diseases.
- Ink tattooing is employed during BAE to mark lesions or scope insertion depth.
- Assessing the utility of ink tattooing in BAE is important for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety of ink tattooing during BAE.
- To determine the detection rate of ink tattoos in subsequent endoscopic procedures.
- To ascertain the clinical relevance of ink tattooing in managing small bowel pathology.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 81 patients undergoing ink tattooing during BAE (2010-2015).
- Evaluation of tattoo detectability via capsule endoscopy and repeat BAE.
- Assessment of tattoo impact on re-enteroscopy and intraoperative localization.
Main Results:
- No complications were reported with ink tattooing during BAE.
- Tattoos were detected in 19/26 capsule endoscopies and 2/11 repeat BAEs.
- Ink tattooing influenced re-enteroscopy approach in 9 patients and aided intraoperative localization in 10 patients (100% detection).
Conclusions:
- Ink tattooing is a safe endoscopic technique during BAE.
- It effectively marks lesions or scope depth for future reference.
- The procedure demonstrates significant clinical relevance in guiding further small bowel interventions.
