The Diagnostic Effect Of Capsule Endoscopy In The Patients Of Incomplete Small Bowel Obstruction

Background and Study Aims:Capsule endoscopy has been demonstrated to be superior to routine radiologic examinations in the investigation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding or suspected Crohn's disease.We noted that small bowel obstruction or strictures were considered to be a contraindication to capsule endoscopy in many centers.However,the accuracy of radiography in this situation has often been questioned.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of capsule endoscopy(CE) in patients with recurrent subacute small bowel obstruction.Patients and Methods:The study is a retrospective analysis of 31 patients referred to hospital from January 2003 to August 2008 for the investigation of subacute small bowel obstruction who underwent CE.The patients were 9 to 81 years old,and all of them had undergone abdominal CT,gastroscopy and colonoscopy previously. Some of them had undergone abdominal MRI or small bowel follow-through.Results:Capsule endoscopy made a definitive diagnosis in 12 of 31 cases (38.7%):4 Crohn's disease,2 carcinomas,1 intestinal tuberculosis,1 ischemic enteritis,1 abdominal cocoon,1 duplication of intestine,1 diverticulum of small intestine and 1 ileal polypoid tumor.Capsule retention occurred in 3 of 31 patients (9.7%) caused by Crohn's disease(2) or tumor(1).Two retained capsules were retrieved at surgery,and another one spontaneously passed the stricture by medical treatment in 6 months.No case was led to an acute small bowel obstruction by administration of CE.Conclusions:Capsule endoscopy that allows direct noninvasive visualization of the entire small intestine,can be safely used to help identify the etiology and site of a small bowel obstruction.