Published online Apr 16, 2013. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v5.i4.154
Revised: February 7, 2013
Accepted: February 28, 2013
Published online: April 16, 2013
AIM: To determine the test characteristics of community based video capsule endoscopy (VCE) in patients undergoing sequential VCE and double balloon enteroscopy (DBE).
METHODS: Eighty-nine patients (34 females, 55 males, mean age 66) who underwent both VCE and DBE from 2008-2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Lesions detected at VCE were categorized. Capsule directed DBE followed and included 44 antegrade, 11 retrograde and 34 combined antegrade and retrograde procedures. Lesions detected were compared utilizing the McNemar’s test.
RESULTS: Angioectasia detection with VCE was 25% and with DBE 35% (P < 0.03) with a calculated sensitivity and specificity of 58% and 93% respectively. Polyps were detected by VCE in 22% and in DBE 20%, (P = 0.6), with a sensitivity and specificity for VCE of 61% and 87%. Small bowel diverticula were only seen in 1% of VCE but in 12% of DBE patients (P < 0.002) with a calculated sensitivity and specificity of VCE of 9% and 100%.
CONCLUSION: VCE would be moderately sensitive and specific overall with considerable variation by lesion. Furthermore, VCE cannot be relied upon to diagnose small bowel diverticula.
Core tip: Advances in endoscopic technology have revolutionized the evaluation of small intestinal disorders. Non-invasive imaging utilizing video capsule endoscopy (VCE) offers the potential to safely visualize the entire small bowel with a high diagnostic yield. It is limited by a lack of therapeutic ability, imprecise localization, failure to reach the colon in all cases and inconsistent visualization of the entire small bowel. Deep enteroscopy, utilizing double balloon enteroscopy (DBE), enables diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy of the small bowel. Although total enteroscopy can be accomplished, it typically requires antegrade and retrograde approaches. In most clinical situations, VCE is performed initially. By using DBE as the criterion (gold) standard, the sensitivity and specificity of community based VCE can be assessed for individual lesions, offering a more informative comparison than diagnostic yield.