Korean J Gastrointest Endosc.  2011 Mar;42(3):137-142.

Indications for Enteroscopy: Which Patients Should Be Recommended for Enteroscopy?

• Choi H

Abstract

Balloon-assisted endoscopy (double-balloon or single-balloon endoscopy) is a novel method used to examine the entire small bowel. Enteroscopy has advantages in that tissues can be obtained to get a detailed image, and it is feasible for endoscopic treatments such as hemostasis, dilatation, and polypectomy. Indications for enteroscopy are obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, small bowel involvement due to inflammatory bowel disease, an investigation of a small bowel tumor or polyposis, and difficulty of a colonoscopy. Enteroscopy should be recommended to patients with recurrent mid-gut bleeding of obscure origin, suspected Crohn's disease, suspicious small bowel tumor on abnormal imaging, and surveillance of polyposis syndrome including familial adenomatous polyposis and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. We may consider enteroscopy in patients with chronic abdominal pain or diarrhea and increased inflammatory markers. We must also understand the contraindications, complications, and limitations of enteroscopy.

Keyword

Small intestine; Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding; Crohn's disease; Tumor; Enteroscopy

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli
Colonoscopy
Crohn Disease
Diarrhea
Dilatation
Endoscopy
Hemorrhage
Hemostasis
Humans
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Intestine, Small
Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome