Value of deep small-bowel endoscopy in the diagnosis of Crohn's disease / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the value of deep small-bowel endoscopy (DSBE) in the diagnosis of Crohns disease (CD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The endoscopic and clinical data of 54 patients with CD receiving capsule endoscopy (CE) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) between January, 2004 and December, 2008 were summarized and analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The main indications for DSBE in our series were suspected CD (42.6%) and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (25.9%). DSBE was obviously superior to barium imaging. The detection rate of CD was significantly higher with DSBE (92.6%) than with ileocolonoscopy (75.9%, P=0.017), and DSBE provides much more detailed descriptions of specific endoscopic features such as segmental distribution and lumen changes. DSBE significantly improve the diagnostic efficiency, giving priority to offer a guide and raise suspected diagnosis for CD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DSBE is a valuable modality for detecting CD lesions in the jejunum and ileum and for evaluating lesion involvement and severity. The combination with a comprehensive analysis of routine imaging findings, gastro endoscopy, and clinical data can further enhance the diagnostic efficiency of DSBE.</p>