Treatment of small-bowel diaphragm disease by using double-balloon enteroscopy.
BACKGROUND
Double-balloon enteroscopy is a new technique that allows endoscopic therapy throughout the entire length of the small bowel. Diaphragm disease, characterized by thin septa that narrow the small-bowel lumen, is traditionally treated surgically by segmental resection.


OBJECTIVE
To report successful endoscopic treatment of diaphragm disease by double-balloon enteroscopy.


METHODS
Three patients.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Double-balloon enteroscopy and stricture balloon dilation.


RESULTS
We report, for the first time, 3 cases in which diaphragm strictures were successfully treated during double-balloon enteroscopy. In 2 cases, a retained capsule endoscope was removed by the retrograde approach after stricture dilation.


CONCLUSIONS
Small number of patients and brief length of patient follow up.


CONCLUSIONS
Double-balloon enteroscopy may be used to treat patients with diaphragm disease, thus avoiding potentially complicated surgery.
Mehdizadeh
Shahab
S
Department of Gastroenterology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Lo
Simon K
SK
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020776:Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged