The Usefulness of Capsule Endoscopy in Patients with Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Kim, Hyun Jeong; Shim, Chan Sup; Lee, Sang Ho; Jung, In Seop; Hong, Su Jin; Ryu, Chang Bum; Kim, Jin Oh; Cho, Joo Young; Lee, June Seong; Lee, Moon Sung; Kim, Boo Sung

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is defined as recurrent bleeding for which no source has been identified by routine endoscopic and contrast studies. This study was performed to determine the utility of capsule endoscopy in patients with OGIB.
METHODS
This retrospective study included 21 patients with GIB which were not identified by esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy. Those were sixteen patients with overt OGIB (including 6 ongoing overt bleeding) and five with occult OGIB. All underwent capsule endoscopy with Given M2A video capsule system.
RESULTS
Definite bleeding of small intestine were identified in 9 of 21 patients (42.9%) and 8 of 9 patients presenting as overt OGIB (50.0%, 8/16). Additionally, 5 of 6 patients with ongoing bleeding on the day of capsule endoscopy were found to have the lesion in small intestine (83.3%, 5/6). Ulcers were found in 6 patients, diverticulitis in 2 patients, and a tumor in 1 patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Capsule endoscopy, providing a good visualization of small intestine, is safe and well tolerated. Capsule endoscopy is an useful diagnostic tool for OGIB, especially for ongoing overt bleeding, and can guide the subsequent therapy and expand diagnostic yield in OGIB.