Single-balloon enteroscopy following videocapsule endoscopy for diagnosis of small bowel tumors: preliminary experiences.
OBJECTIVE
Small bowel tumors (SBTs), either benign or malignant, are rare, accounting for 3-6% of all digestive neoplasms. Videocapsule endoscopy (VCE) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) have revolutionized the diagnosis and management of patients with small bowel diseases, including SBTs. A novel method using the single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) has recently been developed. The aim of present study was to present our preliminary experience with SBE in patients with suspected SBTs on VCE examination.


METHODS
Patients in whom VCE showed one or more lesions suggesting SBTs underwent SBE.


RESULTS
Three patients (2 males, 1 female; mean age 52 +/- 11 years) underwent SBE, and then surgery. There were two gastrointestinal stromal tumors and one adenocarcinoma. Clinically, all patients had iron-deficiency anemia and abdominal pain, and one patient had episodes of nausea/ vomiting. SBE was well tolerated without adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
SBE is a safe procedure and overcomes the limitations of VCE. Both procedures are complimentary in patients with suspected SBTs. VCE should be used first for initial diagnosis, followed by SBE for histopathological confrmation of the diagnosis and, if necessary, endoscopic therapy.
Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gr. T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania.
A
A
Trifan
A M
AM
Singeap
C
C
Cojocariu
C
C
Sfarti
E
E
Tarcoveanu
S
S
Georgescu
D000328:Adult; D053705:Capsule Endoscopes; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004379:Duodenal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007078:Ileal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology; D007580:Jejunal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity