Capsule endoscopy in portal hypertension.
Since the introduction of small bowel capsule endoscopy, and more recently of esophageal capsule endoscopy, these diagnostic tools have become available for the evaluation of the consequences of portal hypertension in the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. The main advantage of the esophageal and the small bowel capsule is the relatively less invasiveness that could potentially increase patients' adherence to endoscopic screening/surveillance programs. When esophageal capsule endoscopy was compared with traditional gastroscopy, it showed good sensitivity and specificity in recognizing the presence and the size of esophageal varices. However, the results are not consistent among studies, and more data are needed.
Rondonotti
Emanuele
E
Università degli Studi di Milano, IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Policlinico Foundation, Italy.
Villa
Federica
F
Dell' Era
Alessandra
A
Tontini
Gian Eugenio
GE
de Franchis
Roberto
R
D053705:Capsule Endoscopes / Q000592:standards; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D011168:Portal System / Q000502:physiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity