title: The role of capsule endoscopy in small bowel pathology: a review of 122 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Small bowel capsule endoscopy (CE) has been introduced in New Zealand (NZ) in all of the tertiary and some secondary centres over the last few years. We describe our experience with CE from a single centre in NZ.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this 2-year, retrospective, study of 122 consecutive patients, data was collected on multiple variables from the patient clinical, laboratory, and radiology records. Pillcam of Given Imaging Diagnostic System (Given Imaging Ltd, Yogneam, Israel) was used to image the small bowel. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Good preparation was noted in 69% of the cases. The most common indication for referral was obscure GI bleeding (70%). The overall diagnostic yield for relevant findings was 52%, with angioectasia as the most common specific finding (37%). The diagnostic yield in those with overt bleeds improved with inpatient status (74%). Incomplete examinations were noted in 12% and were significantly more common in the male gender. Preliminary imaging (barium, CT/MR) was noted to have a lower diagnostic yield. Enteroscopies were considered in 25% of the patients post CE procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Apart from a lower diagnostic yield in patients with overt bleeds, our data is consistent with that reported in literature and support the role of CE as the minimally invasive gold standard investigation for small bowel imaging.
authors: Tauranga Public Hospital, Tauranga, New Zealand. imran.khan@bopdhb.govt.nz
authors: Mohammad I
authors: MI
authors: Khan
authors: Megan
authors: M
authors: Johnston
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Cunliffe
authors: Adrian
authors: A
authors: Claydon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053704:Capsule Endoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult