Background: Patients with chronic abdominal pain consult gastroenterologists frequently, requiring a large number of examinations. Aim: To assess the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy in patients with chronic abdominal pain of unknown origin and negative diagnostic work-up. Patients: From January 2002 to September 2004, 16 patients (10 female; mean age 42.7 years) who complained of chronic abdominal pain were referred to our unit for capsule endoscopy. Methods: Chronic abdominal pain was defined as continuous or almost continuous, for at least 3 months and without criteria for other gastrointestinal disorders. All patients had a previous diagnostic work-up including abdominal ultrasonography, oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy and small bowel follow through, performed within 2 months. Results: Capsule endoscopy was normal in 12 patients (75%). Small bowel abnormalities were found in three patients, but were considered irrelevant. In one patient (6.3%), capsule endoscopy revealed ileal erosions and inflammation and was retained in a stricture undetected by radiology. This patient underwent elective surgery which revealed an ileal carcinoid neoplasm. Conclusions: Capsule endoscopy identified a specific cause of chronic abdominal pain in only one patient. Capsule endoscopy is a safe procedure but does not seem to play an important role in the evaluation of patients with chronic abdominal pain of unknown origin. © 2006.
Spada, C., Pirozzi, G. A., Riccioni, M. E., Iacopini, F., Marchese, M., Costamagna, G., Capsule endoscopy in patients with chronic abdominal pain, <<DIGESTIVE AND LIVER DISEASE>>, 2006; 38 (9): 696-698. [doi:10.1016/j.dld.2006.05.011] [https://hdl.handle.net/10807/250538]
Capsule endoscopy in patients with chronic abdominal pain
Spada, Cristiano;Riccioni, Maria Elena;Costamagna, Guido
2006
Abstract
Background: Patients with chronic abdominal pain consult gastroenterologists frequently, requiring a large number of examinations. Aim: To assess the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy in patients with chronic abdominal pain of unknown origin and negative diagnostic work-up. Patients: From January 2002 to September 2004, 16 patients (10 female; mean age 42.7 years) who complained of chronic abdominal pain were referred to our unit for capsule endoscopy. Methods: Chronic abdominal pain was defined as continuous or almost continuous, for at least 3 months and without criteria for other gastrointestinal disorders. All patients had a previous diagnostic work-up including abdominal ultrasonography, oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy and small bowel follow through, performed within 2 months. Results: Capsule endoscopy was normal in 12 patients (75%). Small bowel abnormalities were found in three patients, but were considered irrelevant. In one patient (6.3%), capsule endoscopy revealed ileal erosions and inflammation and was retained in a stricture undetected by radiology. This patient underwent elective surgery which revealed an ileal carcinoid neoplasm. Conclusions: Capsule endoscopy identified a specific cause of chronic abdominal pain in only one patient. Capsule endoscopy is a safe procedure but does not seem to play an important role in the evaluation of patients with chronic abdominal pain of unknown origin. © 2006.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.