Our first experience of capsule endoscopy for suspected small intestine disorders

Background: Capsule endoscopy (CE), is a non-invasive tool in the diagnosis of suspected small bowel lesions. This study has been carried out with the aim to evaluate the effectiveness of capsule endoscopy in the management of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in a new Hungarian site.

Methods: A retroprospective descriptive study was conducted at CE unit, Pandy Kálmán County Hospital, Gyula. Over a period of 1 year from October 2011 to December 2012. 34 consecutive patients presenting with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGB) were investigated. After the patients admission, and an overnight fast and bowel preparation, the procedure was performed in our unit. Intromedic MiroCam MC1000 system was used. Examination was termed as complete when the capsule reached the coecum. Computer recordings were read by two examiners. Results: A total of 34 patients were included in this study, 15 (44,1%) males and 19 (55,9%) females. Age of the patients ranged from 29 – 82 years (mean 66,67 ± 10,57years). Examination was completed in 34/34 (100%) patients, without incomplete examination, or capsule retention. In 3/34 (8,8%) patients endoscopic assistance was required to push the capsule through the pylorus. There was history of abdominal surgery in 5/34 (14,7%) patients prior to capsule endoscopy. The results of capsule endoscopy showed erosion and bleeding in small intestine, in 6 (17,/%) patients. Angiodysplasia was the most common finding for OGB cases, observed in 9 (26,4%) patients. In 3 (8,8%) cases we found intestinal manifestations of -Crohn Disease and in 2 (5,8%) cases polypoid leasions, what were over investigated with enteroscopy and the histologigal findings revealed intestinal adenocarcinomas.

Conclusion: Capsule endoscopy is a well tolerated and safe examination of the small bowel and very useful with high diagnostic yield for OGB and other suspected intestinal lesions.