Diagnostic and Therapeutic Usefulness of Double Balloon Enteroscopy: Single Center Experience

Eun, Soo Hoon; Kim, Jin Oh; Ko, Bong Min; Cho, Keun Hyok; Chung, Kyu Sung; Cho, Joo Young; Lee, Joon Seong; Lee, Moon Sung; Shim, Chan Sup; Kim, Boo Sung

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Until recently, only indirect procedures were available to provide images of the small bowel. Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) has the ability to obtain tissue for diagnosis and endoscopic interventions. This study was designed to determine the usefulness of DBE in patients with small bowel diseases by evaluating diagnostic yields and the impact on treatment.
METHODS
From November, 2004 to November, 2006 a total 81 patients with suspected small bowel disease were investigated by DBE. We analyzed the diagnostics and therapeutics rates according to the indications of DBE.
RESULTS
A total of 114 DBE procedures were performed. Gastrointestinal bleeding (64.2%) was the most common indication, followed by chronic abdominal pain/diarrhea (29.6%). A diagnosis was obtained in 44 of 52 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding and 17 of 24 patients with chronic abdominal pain/diarrhea. DBE resulted in therapeutic intervention in 17 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding and 13 patients with chronic abdominal pain/ diarrhea. DBE was diagnostic in 75.3% of the patients and played a role in the subsequent treatment of 37.0% of the patients.
CONCLUSIONS
DBE was a useful and safe method for diagnosis and treatments in patients with small bowel diseases.