Korean J Gastrointest Endosc.  2009 May;38(5):254-259.

Analysis of the Risk Factors That Affect Esophageal Transit Delay When Performing Wireless Capsule Endoscopy

• Kim D
• Kim KJ
• Yoo DJ
• Yoon SM
• Ye BD
• Byeon JS
• Myung SJ
• Yang SK
• Kim JH
• Rho EJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Capsule endoscopy has become an excellent diagnostic tool for various small bowel diseases. However, some cases of delayed passage of the capsule in the esophagus without obstruction have been reported. The aims of this study were to analyze the risk factors associated with esophageal transit delay.
METHODS
From Nov. 2002 to July. 2008, 141 patients underwent capsule endoscopy. Among them, 3 patients were excluded. The 138 patients were divided into two groups (the delayed esophageal transit time (DETT) group, and the normal esophageal transit time (NETT) group), and we compared their characteristics, including age, gender, the reason for examination, the total transit time and the rate of an incomplete examination.
RESULTS
DETT occurred in 7 patients (5.1%). The mean age (61.14+/-0.70 vs. 44.01+/-7.37, respectively, p=0.02) was higher in the DETT groups. No statistically increased risk was found for gender and the indications for the procedure. The DETT group showed a higher rate of incomplete examination than did the NETT group (7/7 vs. 41/131, respectively, p=0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Even though delayed esophageal transit on capsule endoscopy is not a serious complication, it could lead to an incomplete examination. Therefore, checking the chest X-rays after swallowing the capsule can be helpful to notice delayed esophageal transit earlier in the procedure.

Keyword

Capsule endoscopy; Esophagus; Transit delay

MeSH Terms

Capsule Endoscopy
Deglutition
Esophagus
Humans
Risk Factors
Thorax