Video capsule endoscopy in life-threatening GI hemorrhage after negative primary endoscopy (with video).
BACKGROUND
Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) continues to evolve as a key diagnostic tool. Traditionally VCE has been used to detect occult and obscure GI bleeding in adult patients. VCE has not been documented or accepted as an early diagnostic tool for acute life-threatening GI hemorrhage.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to demonstrate the use of VCE as an early diagnostic tool in acute life-threatening GI hemorrhage.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Patients with life-threatening GI hemorrhage.


METHODS
VCE after negative primary endoscopy.


RESULTS
VCE allowed rapid diagnosis and reliable data before surgical intervention. Although proving to be a beneficial diagnostic tool for acute GI hemorrhage, VCE was not associated with increased morbidity or mortality rates.


CONCLUSIONS
This report only focuses on cases where VCE successfully led to a diagnosis. There is no prospective control group to which these patients can be compared. There were no other attempted acute VCE studies in patients with life-threatening bleeding during the time period of these case reports.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of VCE is a simple and relatively safe diagnostic tool in the evaluation of continuing GI hemorrhaging in endoscopy-negative patients. The use of VCE can be considered as a another useful tool in the armamentarium of the endoscopist in the evaluation of GI bleeding. Prospective studies should be undertaken to determine the appropriate timing and clinical use in this group of patients.
Hogan
Reed B
RB
Gastrointestinal Associates PA, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39202, USA.
Pareek
Namita
N
Phillips
Paxton
P
Haick
Alex
A
Hogan
Reed B
RB
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D053704:Capsule Endoscopy; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014741:Video Recording