Capsule endoscopy as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of graft-vs.-host disease.
Capsule endoscopy is a relatively new technology that has allowed gastroenterologists to visualize the mucosa of the small intestine. This technology is playing an expanding role in both adult and pediatric gastroenterology. In this report, we present an 8-yr-old child following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation who developed large volume bloody diarrhea requiring multiple packed red blood cell transfusions that was resistant to aggressive therapy for GVHD. The capsule endoscopy performed on this patient provided significant information not provided by upper endoscopy and colonoscopy that allowed for successful treatment changes. This case demonstrates that capsule endoscopy is a diagnostic tool that may play an important role in the assessment of patients, including children, with possible GVHD.
Silbermintz
Ari
A
Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, North Shore--LIJ Health System Schneider Children's Hospital, New Hyde Park, NY 11040, USA. arisilb1@yahoo.com
Sahdev
Indira
I
Moy
Libia
L
Vlachos
Adrianna
A
Lipton
Jeffrey
J
Levine
Jeremiah
J
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000601:surgery; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab