[Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced enteropathy and chronic nonspecific multiple ulcers of the small intestine].

ABSTRACT

With the development of double balloon endoscopy and video-capsule endoscopy, it has become inevitable for gastroenterologist to diagnose small intestinal ulcers accurately. Chronic nonspecific multiple ulcers of the small intestine (CNSU) and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs-induced enteropathy (NSAIDs-enteropathy) share common clinicopathologic features characterized by histologically nonspecific ulcers and persistent blood loss. In addition, the two disorders had common enteroscopic findings, namely, circular ulcers and concentric stenoses. However, CNSU is distinctive of NSAIDs-enteropathy with respect to intractable ulcers of various configurations. In consideration of widespread use of NSAIDs, a strategy for the prevention of NSAIDs-enteropathy should be examined. Also, much more cases of CNSU should be analyzed to establish the pathophysiology of the disease.