A Novel Method to Localize Patency Capsule by Ileocolonoscopy Facilitates Endoscopic Assessment of the Small and Large Intestine in Patients with Crohn's Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) require an assessment of small bowel lesions, while difficulties exist in performing small intestinal examinations, especially in small-sized medical offices. Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is handy and can be performed in most clinical settings. The only drawback of SBCE is a requirement of patency testing prior to the exam because it sometimes requires CT scanning to localize the ingested patency capsule (PC), which may be a substantial burden for the patient. We have developed a novel PC detection system named PICS (patency capsule, ileocolonoscopy, and small bowel capsule endoscopy) method by which we can avoid CT scanning. In the PICS method, ileocolonoscopy (ICS) is performed after 30-33 h of PC ingestion and the PC can be localized by ICS in patients who have not excreted the PC, and the entire intestine can be examined in combination with subsequent SBCE without additional bowel preparation. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness and safety of the PICS method for CD patients. METHODS: CD patients who underwent PICS method from April 2021 to March 2023 were reviewed for clinical data, outcome of PICS method including the rates of PC detection by ICS, the number of patients underwent SBCE, and adverse events. Lewis score was used to assess SBCE results. RESULTS: The PICS method was performed in 54 patients. The median age of patients was 28.5 years old, and 64.8% of them were ileocolic type. The median disease duration was 10.5 months and 24.1% had history of small bowel resection. Five cases (9.3%) confirmed gastrointestinal patency by ICS, and none of the cases required CT scanning. One patient who could not be confirmed patency by ICS, and the other patient who excreted PC but was found ileal stenosis by ICS did not undergo SBCE. Remaining 52 patients received SBCE, and the median Lewis score of them was 0 (IQR 0, 450). There were no adverse events including small bowel obstruction by PC and SBCE retention in this series. CONCLUSION: The PICS method is not only feasible and safe but also convenient to assess disease extent in patients with CD. By localizing PC with ICS, additional CT scanning could be unnecessary for SBCE, which benefits both physicians and CD patients.

Nationwide multicenter study on adverse events associated with a patency capsule: Additional survey of appropriate use of patency capsule study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The PillCam patency capsule (PC) without a radio frequency identification tag was released to preclude retention of the small bowel capsule endoscope (CE) in Japan in 2012. We conducted a multicenter study to determine tag-less PC-related adverse events (AEs). METHODS: We first conducted a retrospective survey using a standardized data collection sheet for the clinical characteristics of PC-related AEs among 1096 patients collected in a prospective survey conducted between January 2013 and May 2014 (Cohort 1). Next, we retrospectively investigated additional AEs that occurred before and after Cohort 1 within the period June 2012 and December 2014 among 1482 patients (Cohort 2). RESULTS: Of the 2578 patients who underwent PC examinations from both cohorts, 74 AEs occurred among 61 patients (2.37%). The main AEs were residual parylene coating in 25 events (0.97%), PC-induced small bowel obstruction, suspicious of impaction, in 23 events (0.89%), and CE retention even after patency confirmation in 10 events (0.39%). Residual parylene coating was significantly associated with Crohn's disease (P < 0.01). Small bowel obstruction was significantly associated with physicians with less than 1 year of experience handling the PC and previous history of postprandial abdominal pain (P < 0.01 and P < 0.03, respectively). CE retention was ascribed to erroneous judgment of PC localization in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: This large-scale multicenter study provides evidence supporting the safety and efficiency of a PC to preclude CE retention. Accurate PC localization in patients without excretion and confirmation of previous history of postprandial abdominal pain before PC examinations is warranted (UMIN000010513).

Safety and efficacy of the patency capsule.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The patency capsule is an effective diagnostic method for preventing video capsule retention in the small bowel during capsule endoscopy. The most frequently associated complication when using the patency capsule is symptomatic retention. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of patency capsules administered to patients at a tertiary care hospital center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted that included all the patients with confirmed Crohn's disease that were administered a patency capsule, within the time frame of January 2019 and December 2020. PC diagnostic yield, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were evaluated, in relation to capsule endoscopy and double-balloon endoscopy findings. Complications associated with the patency capsule were also identified. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included, in whom the patency capsule had 83% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, and 96% negative predictive value, with a diagnostic yield of 96.7%. There was one complication (3.3%) and it resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: The patency capsule is a safe and effective method for reducing video capsule retention during capsule endoscopy in patients with Crohn's disease.

Indications and Limitations Associated with the Patency Capsule Prior to Capsule Endoscopy.

The retention of the capsule used during small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is a serious complication that can occur in patients with known or suspected small bowel stenosis, and a prior evaluation of the patency of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is therefore essential. Patency capsule (PC) is a non-diagnostic capsule the same size as the diagnostic SBCE. To date, there are no clear guidelines regarding the contraindications for undergoing a PC evaluation prior to SBCE. Each small bowel disorder has specific occasions to inhibit the progress of PC and SBCE, even though they do not have any stenotic symptoms or abnormalities on imaging. In this review, we summarize the indications and limitations of PC prior to SBCE, especially the contraindications, and discuss clinical scenarios in which even PC should be avoided, and therefore such areas of stenosis should be evaluated by alternative modalities. We thus propose this new algorithm to evaluate the patency of the GI tract for patients with suspected and known small bowel stenosis in order that they may undergo SBCE safely.

Does capsule endoscopy impact clinical management in established Crohn's disease?

BACKGROUND: Capsule endoscopy (SBCE) has developed a relevant role in patients with established Crohn's Disease (CD). However, evaluation of the impact in clinical management has been scarce. AIMS: To evaluate therapeutic impact of SBCE in an 11-year real-life cohort of known CD patients. METHODS: Retrospective single center study including all patients with established CD submitted to SBCE procedure from 01/01/2008 to 31/12/2019. Patency capsule was used in selected patients. Small bowel mucosal inflammation was quantified using Lewis score. Therapeutic impact was defined as a change in CD-related treatment recommended based on SBCE results. Patients were assigned to four groups regarding SBCE indication: staging, flare, post-op and remission. RESULTS: From the 432 SBCE performed 87.5% were conclusive. Active disease was present in 63.7 of patients; 41.6% mild inflammation and 21.9% moderate-to-severe activity. A change of management was guided by SBCE in 51.3% of procedures: 199 (46.1%) escalation and 23 (5.3%) de-escalation, with significant changes in all groups. Escalation increased with disease activity: 57.8% in mild and 89.5% in moderate-to-severe disease. De-escalation was conducted in 13.9% procedures with mucosal healing and 1.1% with mild disease. CONCLUSION: SBCE is a useful tool for guiding therapeutic management in CD patients both for treatment escalation and de-escalation.

A Prospective Study Evaluating the Clinical Utility of the Tag-Less Patency Capsule with Extended Time for Confirming Functional Patency.

BACKGROUND: Patency confirmation is useful for avoiding the retention of capsule endoscopy (CE). We first evaluated the clinical utility of the tag-less PillCamTM Patency Capsule (PPC) for up to 72 h after ingestion prospectively. METHODS: Excretion of an intact capsule or intact body within 72 h, or positive PPC image in the colon or negative PPC image by abdominal X-ray at 30 h was defined as confirmed functional patency. In patients with unconfirmed functional patency, balloon-assisted enteroscopy was performed to evaluate the reason. RESULTS: Functional patency was confirmed in 44 of 57 patients. Patency was confirmed in 38 patients (66.7%) at 30 h. In 6 of 19 patients (31.6%) in whom patency was not confirmed at 30 h, patency was confirmed within 72 h and no capsule retention (CR) occurred. The rate of pan-enteroscopy did not differ between patients whose patency was confirmed at 30 h and those whose patency was confirmed within 72 h. Excretion time of the PPC significantly correlated with that of the capsule (r = 0.650). Severe adhesions (>5 cm) interfered with PPC passage in 2 patients, despite the absence of critical stricture. The rate of no CR in patients with functional patency confirmed by prior PPC was 97.7%. Misjudgment of the location of the PPC is a risk for CR. CONCLUSIONS: Extending the time to confirm functional patency to 72 h may be acceptable and increase the possibility to perform CE safely in whom CE can perform intrinsically. University Hospital Medical Information Network registration No: 000002564.

Tag-less patency capsule for suspected small bowel stenosis: Nationwide multicenter prospective study in Japan.

STUDY AIMS: The PillCam patency capsule (PPC) is an Agile tag-less patency capsule used to evaluate gastrointestinal (GI) patency. We determined the appropriate use of PPC to preclude subsequent small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) retention. METHODS: This prospective multicenter study consecutively enrolled patients indicated for SBCE with suspected or established small bowel stenosis. Excretion of an intact PPC or its radiologic visualization in the large bowel was considered GI patency. Primary and secondary study endpoints were SBCE retention rates in patients with confirmed patency and identification of factors associated with patency and SBCE retention, respectively. RESULTS: Of 1096 patients enrolled in the study, patency was confirmed in 976 (89.1%). PPC excretion occurred in 579 patients. Of the remaining 517 patients, patency was confirmed using imaging modalities in 401 (77.5%). SBCE retention occurred in five (0.51%) of 963 patients who underwent SBCE: 1.0% in established Crohn's disease (CD) patients, 0% in suspected CD, 0% in tumors, and 1.6% in patients with obscure GI bleeding, for which PPC localization had been radiographically misinterpreted. The non-confirmation of patency was associated with established CD, stenosis identified using imaging modalities, abdominal fullness, serum albumin levels <4.0 g/dL, and previous small bowel obstruction (adjusted odds ratios: 4.21, 2.60, 2.47, 2.12, and 2.00; 95% confidence intervals: 2.62-6.78, 1.62-4.17, 1.43-4.27, 1.32-3.40, and 1.15-3.47, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The PillCam™ patency capsule helped preclude SBCE retention in most patients, but its accurate localization was essential for cases without excretion (Study registered the University Hospital Medical Information Network, #UMIN000010513).

Retención de videocápsula endoscópica, una nueva enfermedad médico-quirúrgica: serie de casos.

BACKGROUND: The endoscopic video capsule (EVC), a minimally invasive method of study of the gastrointestinal system indicated in occult gastrointestinal bleeding, has as main complication the retention of endoscopic capsule (CR), currently it is managed with direct extraction using double-balloon enteroscopy; however, when it fails due to its location or associated pathologies, the surgical intervention results in the most successful approach. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical characteristics and management of patients with video capsule endoscopy retention. METHOD: From January 2001 to December 2018, a retrospective search was carried out in three centers, of patients with CR diagnosis, clinical variables and approach were evaluated, in addition to a critical review of the literature. RESULTS: 15 patients with a diagnosis of CR (eight 8 women and seven men), average age 65 (range: 45-77). Seven required surgical management, three endoscopic and five medical management. CONCLUSIONS: The CR is a new pathology of low prevalence, the surgical management resulting from a second therapeutic line when the removal of the VCE has not been possible endoscopically, this pathology requires special attention in the patient's medical history and symptoms for diagnosis and management.

ANTECEDENTES: La videocápsula endoscópica (VCE), método mínimamente invasivo de estudio del sistema gastrointestinal indicado en hemorragia digestiva oculta, tiene como principal complicación la retención de la cápsula endoscópica (RCE). Actualmente se maneja con extracción directa empleando enteroscopia de doble balón; sin embargo, cuando falla por su localización o por patologías asociadas, la intervención quirúrgica resulta el método de mayor éxito. OBJETIVO: Evaluar las características clínicas y el manejo de pacientes con RCE. MÉTODO: De enero de 2001 a diciembre de 2018 se realizó un búsqueda retrospectiva, en tres centros, de pacientes con diagnóstico de RCE. Se evaluaron variables clínicas y de manejo, y además se realizó una revisión crítica de la literatura. RESULTADOS: Se hallaron 15 pacientes con diagnóstico de RCE (ocho mujeres y siete hombres), con una edad promedio de 65 años (rango: 45-77). Siete requirieron manejo quirúrgico, tres manejo endoscópico y cinco manejo médico. CONCLUSIONES: La RCE es una patología nueva de baja prevalencia. El manejo quirúrgico resulta ser una segunda línea terapéutica cuando la extracción de la VCE no ha sido posible endoscópicamente. Para su diagnóstico y manejo, esta patología requiere una especial atención a la historia clínica, los antecedentes y los síntomas de los pacientes.

A case of small bowel adenocarcinoma that caused intestinal obstruction after administration of patency capsule.

An 80-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with iron deficiency anemia and exertional chest pain. Coronary artery angiography showed 90% stenosis in the middle left anterior descending branch; abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Although his past medical history and results of imaging studies did not suggest intestinal stenosis, assessment of intestinal patency with the PillCam® patency capsule (tag-less PC) was performed. Thirty-three hours after administration, excretion of tag-less PC was not confirmed; an abdominal contrast-enhanced CT showed arrest of tag-less PC in the small bowel and thickening of the bowel wall, suggesting a small bowel tumor. Four days after administration of tag-less PC, he developed abdominal pain and vomiting. Intestinal obstruction was diagnosed by abdominal radiograph. A diagnosis of small bowel tumor with intestinal obstruction was made, and surgical resection was performed. The tumor was histologically an adenocarcinoma. It is necessary to carefully evaluate gastrointestinal patency before small intestine endoscopy especially in elderly people with reduced cardiopulmonary function and many underlying diseases.

Patency Capsule Aspiration.

A 77-year-old man with anemia who had undergone 2 abdominal surgeries for colon and gastric cancer experienced dyspnea after swallowing a patency capsule before endoscopy for investigating the cause of anemia. Chest radiography and computed tomography revealed that the patency capsule was located within the bronchus intermedius. It was successfully removed by flexible bronchoscopy. The balloon was placed over the capsule and inflated. Subsequently, the catheter was pulled, while thus dragging the capsule with it and preventing its destruction. In cases of patency capsule aspiration, the capsule must be removed without deformity, before it causes inflammation by releasing barium into the airway.

Evaluation of Intestinal Patency with the Patency Capsule: The Twenty-Four Hour Assessment Method.

INTRODUCTION: Confirmation of intestinal patency using the patency capsule (PC) in 30-33 h may result in a complex testing schedule. The aim of this study was to perform and evaluate a 24-h PC procedure for potential use as a simple and easy-to-apply intestinal patency assessment method. SUBJECT AND METHODS: The study included 342 patients who were assessed 24 h after ingesting a PC for assessment of intestinal patency. The PC elimination rate and the distribution of elimination time were evaluated. RESULTS: Assessment of intestinal patency was conducted in 308 (90%) patients. Self-confirmed PC elimination within 24 h was possible in 104 (30.4%) patients. The PC was considered to have been already eliminated in 38 (11.1%) patients. Thus, the extracorporeal elimination rate was 41.5%. Among 200 patients with non-extracorporeal elimination, the PC reached the large intestine in 166 patients (48.5% of the total patients). Small-bowel capsule endoscopy (CE) was performed in all 308 patients, and the entire small bowel could be observed in 98.4%. Capsule retention was not observed in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: The 24-h assessment method, in which the PC can be ingested using the same procedure as that for CE capsule, can be handled more easily and is more useful clinically.

Estudio de intestino delgado: experiencia en el uso de Cápsula Patency en la prevención de retención de Video-cápsula Endoscópica / Small bowel study: experience using Patency Capsule for prevention of video capsule endoscopy retention

Introduction: Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is a useful test for the evaluation of the small bowel mucosa. The main complication of VCE is retention, so in patients with risk factors it is recommended to evaluate the permeability of the digestive tract with Patency Capsule (PC). We describe patients evaluated with PC before the study with VCE. Methods: Descriptive observational study of 96 patients referred for VCE. A clinical survey and images identified that 7 of these patients (7.3%) had retention risk factors, so they were previously requested PC. Results: 2 of the 7 patients evaluated with PC did not excrete the device, so the use of VCE was contraindicated; the subsequent study concluded Crohn's disease (CD) and jejunal stenosis due to retractable mesenteritis in these cases. Of the remaining 89 patients, not evaluated with PC, 1 (1.1%) developed retention of the VCE at an ulcerated stenosis, and was subsequently diagnosed as CD. Conclusion: In our study, we confirmed the usefulness of PC as a method to assess the risk of retention of VCE in patients with risk factors for ID stenosis.

Introducción: La video-cápsula endoscópica (VCE) es un examen útil para el estudio de patologías del intestino delgado (ID). La principal complicación de la VCE es la retención, por lo que en pacientes con factores de riesgo se recomienda evaluar la permeabilidad del tubo digestivo con Cápsula Patency (CP). Se presenta una serie de casos evaluados con CP previo al estudio con VCE. Métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo de 96 pacientes derivados para realización de VCE. Mediante encuesta clínica e imágenes se identificó que 7 de estos pacientes (7,3%) tenían factores de riesgo de retención, por lo que se les solicitó previamente CP. Resultados: 2 de los 7 pacientes evaluados con CP no expulsaron el dispositivo por lo que se contraindicó el uso de VCE; el estudio posterior concluyó Enfermedad de Crohn (EC) y estenosis yeyunal por mesenteritis retráctil en estos dos casos. De los 89 pacientes restantes, no evaluados con CP, 1 (1,1%) presentó retención de la VCE a nivel de una estenosis ulcerada diagnosticada posteriormente como EC. Conclusión: En nuestra casuística se confirma la utilidad de la CP como un método para evaluar el riesgo de retención de VCE en pacientes con factores de riesgo de estenosis de ID.

Acute Small Bowel Perforation Caused by Obstruction of a Novel Tag-Less AgileTM Patency Capsule.

A 74-year-old man visited our hospital complaining of abdominal pain. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed multiple wall thickness of the small bowel. Capsule endoscopy was recommended for further evaluation, and patency capsule examination was performed. Eighteen hours after patency capsule ingestion, he experienced small bowel perforation with severe peritonitis caused by intestinal pressure rising because of the patency capsule trapped in his terminal ileum. An ileocolic resection was performed, including the removal of the sclerotic ileum as an emergency surgery. A pathological examination showed transmural inflammation and multiple ulcers with perforation of the small intestine, consistent with Crohn's disease. Here, we report a rare and valuable case of novel tag-less AgileTM patency capsule (Given Imaging Ltd., Yoqneam, Israel) retention leading to small bowel perforation.

Retención de cápsula endoscópica en enfermedad de Crohn ¿cómo manejarla? / Retained capsule endoscopy in Crohn´s disease: how to manage it?

Capsule endoscopy is a technique that allows the study of the small intestine, through a device that is swallowed by the patient, capturing images as it travels through the digestive tract. Capsule retention is the most serious complication. We report the case of a 69 year-old male presenting with iron deficiency anemia, with normal upper endoscopy and colonoscopy; but obscure gastrointestinal bleeding was diagnosed and therefore a study with capsule endoscopy was requested. The patient evolves with retained capsule in the small intestine with ulcerated stenosis as shown by imaging. This finding was confirmed by enteroscopy with biopsy, without being able to extract the capsule. Medical management with corticosteroids was indicated for intestinal obstruction secondary to inflammatory stenosis in the context of Crohn's disease: The capsule was expelled after 21 days of ingestion, with a positive outcome

La cápsula endoscópica es una técnica que permite el estudio del intestino delgado, mediante un dispositivo que es deglutido por el paciente y captura imágenes en su recorrido por el tubo digestivo. La complicación más grave es la retención de la cápsula. Se reporta el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino, de 69 años con anemia ferropénica, con endoscopia alta y colonoscopia normal; planteándose sangrado gastrointestinal de origen oscuro por lo que se solicita estudio con cápsula endoscópica. El paciente evoluciona con retención de la cápsula en intestino delgado, visualizándose en las imágenes la presencia de estenosis ulcerada, hallazgo que se confirma mediante enteroscopia con toma de biopsias, sin lograr extraer la cápsula. Se indica manejo médico con corticoides por obstrucción intestinal secundario a estenosis inflamatoria en contexto de enfermedad de Crohn, expulsando espontáneamente la cápsula al día 21 de su ingestión, sin complicaciones.

Clinical factors related to false-positive rates of patency capsule examination.

BACKGROUND: Retention is the most common complication of capsule endoscopy (CE), and is reported to occur in 0-13% of cases. To avoid retention, a PillCam patency capsule (PC) is used in patients with suspected intestinal stenosis. However, a relatively low positive predictive value of the PC examination has been reported previously. The aims of this study were to clarify the accuracy of PC examination and to evaluate clinical factors related to cases of false-positive detection. METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-center study of 282 consecutive patients referred for PC examination. Patients in which the PC could not pass through the small bowel within 33 h were classified into the 'no patency' group. The 'no patency' group was investigated for evidence of significant stenosis upon further examinations, including CE, double-balloon endoscopy, and small bowel follow-through after PC examination. Clinical factors related to small bowel patency and false-positive cases were evaluated. RESULTS: We included 161 male (57.1%) and 121 female (42.9%) patients with a mean age of 47.5 ± 17.7 years. Of the 282 patients enrolled, 27 patients exhibited 'no patency' upon PC examination. Multivariate analysis showed that clinical factors related to 'no patency' included Crohn's disease, abdominal symptoms, stenosis upon imaging, and previous abdominal surgery. Upon further examination, nine cases in the 'no patency' group had significant stenosis. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values of PC examination for detecting small bowel stenosis were 93.8%, 96.6%, 99.6%, and 62.5%, respectively, and the only clinical factor related to false-positive cases was constipation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found a relatively low positive predictive value of PC examination and that constipation was related to false-positive results. To extend the implications of CE indications, clinical study focusing on these results is expected.

Capsule retention: prevention, diagnosis and management.

Capsule retention (CR) has been defined as capsule remaining in the digestive tract for a minimum of two weeks. CR occurs approximately in 2% of all patients undergoing small bowel capsule endoscopy (CE). Prompt diagnosis of CR is important, as it has relevant clinical implications. CR should be suspected in (I) all asymptomatic patients who do not report capsule excretion within 15 days from capsule ingestion; and (II) patients with obstructive or perforation-related symptoms in which the capsule has not been excreted, regardless of the time between the onset of symptoms and capsule ingestion. Abdominal plain X-ray is the preferred test to confirm CR. An abdominal CT scan should be performed, on individual basis, if knowledge of the precise location of the retained capsule is necessary or whenever clinically indicated. Since CR is usually asymptomatic, an initial watchful monitoring is suggested. In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, a short course of medical therapy may allow capsule excretion. Nevertheless, in long-term CR, some cases of capsule fragmentation, acute obstruction and perforation have been described. Therefore, retrieval of the retained capsule is recommended if asymptomatic CR lasts for long time. A safe capsule retrieval is usually performed by endoscopy, whereas surgery remains a viable alternative if the first is unsuccessful or when clinically indicated. Either Patency Capsule® (PC) or dedicated small bowel cross-sectional imaging techniques have been proposed to prevent CR. Both have pros and cons, but head-to-head comparative studies are lacking.

Patency Capsule Tolerability in School-Aged Children.

BACKGROUND: A patency capsule (PC) can help predict capsule endoscope (CE) retention; however, PC tolerability is unknown in children. We retrospectively evaluated PC tolerability in school-aged children. METHODS: Sixty-one patients (median age, 12.9 years; range 7.4-17.3 years) who underwent PC examination were analyzed for occurrence and determinants of ingestion difficulty and relationships between ingestion of the 2 capsules. We defined ingestion difficulty as taking 30 min or more, or failure, to ingest the PC. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients (64%) successfully ingested the PC without ingestion difficulty. The other 22 had ingestion difficulty and were significantly younger (11.7 ± 2.2 vs. 13.0 ± 1.8 years; p = 0.04) and shorter (143.3 ± 14.0 vs. 154.6 ± 12.5 cm; p = 0.003) than those without ingestion difficulty. Multivariate analysis showed that the most significant factor for predicting PC ingestion difficulty was height (cutoff value, 152 cm). Time to ingest the CE was significantly shorter than that for PC ingestion (8 ± 32 vs. 20 ± 58 min; p = 0.01). All patients indicated that ingestion of the CE was easier because of its smooth surface compared with the PC. CONCLUSIONS: PC ingestion is not guaranteed in school-aged children. PC ingestion ability should be evaluated by considering the child's height and lack of experience ingesting capsules prior to PC examination.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Enteroscopy.

Management of small bowel diseases has evolved since the advent of capsule endoscopy (CE) and balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE). One of the most common indications for enteroscopy is obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB), followed by small bowel stenosis, tumors, and inflammatory bowel disease. Although enteroscopes have been regarded as useful tools, correct guidelines are required to ensure that we manipulate these enteroscopes safely and efficiently in clinical practice. Herein, the Japanese Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society has developed 'Clinical Practice Guidelines for Enteroscopy' in collaboration with the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology, the Japanese Gastroenterological Association, and the Japanese Association for Capsule Endoscopy. These guidelines are based on the evidence available until now, but small bowel endoscopy is a relatively new technology, so the guidelines include recommendations based on a consensus reached among experts when the evidence has not been considered sufficient. These guidelines were not designed to be disease-based, but focus on how we should use small bowel CE and BAE in everyday clinical practice.

Is the use of AGILE patency capsule prior to videocapsule endoscopy useful in all patients with spondyloarthritis?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: As already known, spondyloarthritis patients present a striking resemblance in intestinal inflammation with early Crohn's disease. Moreover, the frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is an important part of their treatment. Both conditions could lead to intestinal stenoses. Therefore we proposed to investigate the usefulness of the patency capsule test in patients with spondyloarthritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 64 consecutive patients (33 males; mean age 38 ± 11 years) that fulfilled the AMOR criteria for seronegative spondyloarthropathy (59.4% ankylosing spondylitis) lacking symptoms or signs of intestinal stenosis were enrolled and submitted to an AGILE™ capsule patency test followed by a video capsule endoscopy (PillCam SB2™), as part of a protocol investigating the presence of intestinal inflammatory lesions. After reviewing the VCE recordings, the Lewis score (of small bowel inflammatory involvement) was computed. RESULTS: In only 5 patients (7.8%) of the study group, the luminal patency test was negative. However, there was no retention of the videocapsule in any of the patients. From the 59 patients with a positive patency test, 3 patients presented single small bowel stenoses (two with ulcerated overlying inflamed mucosa, one cicatricial), all being traversed by the videocapsule along the length of the recording. None of the patients with a negative test had bowel stenoses. There was no correlation between the patency test and the Lewis score, the C reactive protein value, diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, or the family history of spondyloarthritis, psoriasis or inflammatory bowel disease. CONCLUSION: The AGILE patency capsule does not seem to be a useful tool for all patients with spondyloarthritis prior to small bowel videocapsule endoscopy (ClinicalTrial.gov ID NCT 00768950).