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©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 14, 2008; 14(34): 5261-5264
Published online Sep 14, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.5261
Published online Sep 14, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.5261
Role of videocapsule endoscopy for gastrointestinal bleeding
Cristina Carretero, Ignacio Fernandez-Urien, Maite Betes, Miguel Muñoz-Navas, Department of Gastroenterology, University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain
Author contributions: Carretero C and Fernandez-Urien I contributed equally to this paper, both performing research and writing the paper; Betes M and Muñoz-Navas M reviewed the paper.
Correspondence to: Cristina Carretero, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, University of Navarra, Av. Pio XII, 36, Pamplona 31008, Spain. ccarretero@unav.es
Telephone: +34-948-255400 Fax: +34-948-296500
Received: March 31, 2008
Revised: July 26, 2008
Accepted: August 2, 2008
Published online: September 14, 2008
Revised: July 26, 2008
Accepted: August 2, 2008
Published online: September 14, 2008
Abstract
Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is defined as bleeding of an unknown origin that persists or recurs after negative initial upper and lower endoscopies. Several techniques, such as endoscopy, arteriography, scintigraphy and barium radiology are helpful for recognizing the bleeding source; nevertheless, in about 5%-10% of cases the bleeding lesion cannot be determined. The development of videocapsule endoscopy (VCE) has permitted a direct visualization of the small intestine mucosa. We will analyze those techniques in more detail. The diagnostic yield of CE for OGIB varies from 38% to 93%, being in the higher range in those cases with obscure-overt bleeding.
Keywords: Capsule endoscopy; Bleeding; Small bowel; Obscure; Hemorrhage