Endoscopic Management of Strictures in Crohn's Disease: An Unsolved Case

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Endoscopic Therapeutics

Background:

• Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition with significant impact on quality of life and healthcare costs.
• Intestinal strictures are a common and challenging complication of CD, often requiring multidisciplinary management.
• Endoscopic treatment presents a minimally invasive strategy for stricturing CD, supported by evolving evidence and techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current role and evidence of therapeutic endoscopy in managing stricturing Crohn's disease.
• To identify existing evidence gaps and recent advancements in endoscopic techniques for CD strictures.
• To discuss novel approaches for optimizing the efficacy, safety, and personalization of endoscopic treatment in CD.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of therapeutic endoscopy in stricturing Crohn's disease.
• Analysis of current evidence, including randomized controlled trials and observational studies.
• Evaluation of emerging endoscopic techniques and technologies.

Main Results:

• Therapeutic endoscopy is a valuable option for stricturing CD, bridging medical and surgical interventions.
• Evidence for endoscopic treatment is extensive but heterogeneous, highlighting the need for further research.
• Novel techniques and precision endoscopy approaches are emerging to improve outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic therapy is an important tool in the multidisciplinary management of stricturing Crohn's disease.
• Further research is needed to address evidence gaps and refine endoscopic techniques.
• Precision endoscopy holds promise for tailoring treatment and improving patient outcomes in CD strictures.