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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Nov 15, 2014; 5(4): 479-486
Published online Nov 15, 2014. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.479
Published online Nov 15, 2014. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.479
Evaluation and outcomes of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding
Cositha Santhakumar, Ken Liu, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Level 1 West, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney NSW 2139, Australia
Author contributions: Santhakumar C performed the literature review and composed the initial manuscript; Liu K was involved in editing the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Cositha Santhakumar, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Level 1 West, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney NSW 2139, Australia. cossiesan@hotmail.com
Telephone: + 61-2-97675000 Fax: +61-2-97676767
Received: January 28, 2014
Revised: June 30, 2014
Accepted: July 15, 2014
Published online: November 15, 2014
Revised: June 30, 2014
Accepted: July 15, 2014
Published online: November 15, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: This article examines the role of current diagnostic modalities for the investigation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) and outcomes in patients undergoing these investigations. Capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy remain the cornerstone of diagnostic and therapeutic management. The diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of certain modalities are influenced by the nature of bleeding in OGIB. Long-term outcome data in patients with OGIB is limited but is most promising for capsule endoscopy.