title: The role of capsule endoscopy in etiological diagnosis and management of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the various etiologies, yields, and effects of capsule endoscopy (CE) on management and complications, along with follow up of patients with obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group of patients included those having obscure, overt, or occult GI bleeding. The findings were categorized as (A) obvious/definitive, (B) equivocal, or (C) negative. Any significant alteration in patient management post CE in the form of drug or surgical intervention was noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total patients included in the study were 68 (48 males and 20 females). The ratio of male:female was 2.4:1. The age ranged between 16 years to 77 years. Mean age for males was 62±14 years, for females 58±16 years. The total yield of CE with definitive lesions was in 44/68 (65.0%) of patients. In descending order (A) angiodysplasia 16/68 (23.53%), (B) Crohn's disease 10/68 (14.70%), (C) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug enteropathy 8/68 (11.76%), (D) small bowel ulcers 4/68 (5.88%), (E) jejunal and ileal polyps 2/68 (2.94%), (F) intestinal lymphangiectasis 2/68 (2.94%), and (G) ileal hemangiomas 2/68 (2.94%) were followed. Equivocal findings 12/68 (17.65%) and negative study 12/68 (17.65%) was found. Complications in the form of capsule retention in the distal ileum were noted in 2/68 (2.94%) subjects. Statistically, there was a higher probability of finding the etiology if the CE was done during an episode of bleeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CE plays an important role in diagnosing etiologies of obscure GI bleeding. Its role in influencing the management outcome is vital.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Vikas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Meghraj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ingle
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Nilesh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pandav
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Pathik
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Jignesh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Aniruddha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phadke
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Prabha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sawant
keywords: Angiodysplasia; Capsule endoscopy; Etiology; Gastrointestinal bleeding; Small bowel ulcer