Small-bowel masses found and missed on capsule endoscopy for obscure bleeding.
OBJECTIVE
Data on the nature of small-bowel tumors found or missed by capsule endoscopy (CE) are limited. The aim of this study was to review the CE findings in patients with small-bowel tumors presenting as obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the first 300 patients who underwent CE for obscure bleeding (non-diagnostic EGD and colonoscopy) at our institution.


RESULTS
Ten (3%) confirmed small-bowel masses were found in 9 patients. CE findings included distinct mass (n=4), focal irregular (ulcerated or nodular) mucosa (n=2), focal blood without clear lesion (n=1), proximal angiodysplasia with obscuring distal melena (n=1), incomplete distal examination with normal proximal images (n=1), and normal findings (n=1). Most (80%) of the lesions were potentially malignant: adenocarcinoma (n=4), neuroendocrine carcinoma (n=1), leiomyosarcoma (n=1), and GI stroma cell tumors (GISTs) (n=2). Benign lesions included inflammatory fibroid polyp (n=1) and lipoma (n=1). Three duodenal masses were missed on a previous EGD; one was missed by CE as well. CE findings led directly to tumor diagnosis in 7 of the 10 cases. Capsule retention occurred in 2 of the 10 cases, with one patient requiring urgent surgery for acute obstruction.


CONCLUSIONS
Small-bowel tumors are a rare but serious source of obscure GI bleeding. Our large single-center experience shows that most lesions are of malignant potential. Tumors can have an atypical appearance including focal ulceration, nodularity, or active bleeding without a clear lesion. Mass lesions in the duodenum are particularly elusive and can be missed by both EGD and CE.
Baichi
Matthew M
MM
Division of Digestive and Liver Disease, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA. baichim@yahoo.com
Arifuddin
Razi M
RM
Mantry
Parvez S
PS
D000368:Aged; D053704:Capsule Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome