What we have learned from 5 cases of permanent capsule retention.
BACKGROUND
Capsule endoscopy allows the direct visualization of the entire small bowel. There is limited data on the clinical significance of permanent capsule retention.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to document the frequency, findings, risk factors, management, and outcomes of permanent capsule retention.


METHODS
Retrospective, case series.


METHODS
Single tertiary referral center, outpatient.


RESULTS
Permanent capsule retention occurred in 2% of our cases (5/245). The following pathologies caused insufficient capsule passage: adenocarcinoma in a patient with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (1), idiopathic stenosis (1), stricturing Crohn's disease (2), and adhesions (1). Capsule retention lead to a symptomatic small-bowel obstruction in only 1 of these cases (0.4%). As a consequence, 2 cases had successful endoscopic retrieval; 3 cases required surgical intervention. Four of 5 patients had a clear clinical benefit resulting from the capsule findings or the secondary procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
Permanent capsule retention is rare. Even though this event may lead to the necessity of an endoscopic or surgical intervention, a clear benefit for the patient in respect to the underlying disease resulted in 4 of 5 patients.
Baichi
Matthew M
MM
Digestive and Liver Diseases Unit, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.
Arifuddin
Razi M
RM
Mantry
Parvez S
PS
D000368:Aged; D053704:Capsule Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors