Video push enteroscopy in the investigation of small bowel disease: defining clinical indications and outcomes

Background: Push enteroscopy is a new technique for investigation of the small intestine. The clinical indications are still being defined. It also offers the potential for therapeutic intervention in suitable cases. Aims: To evaluate further the role of push enteroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with suspected or known small bowel disease. Methods: A prospective record was kept of all patients having enteroscopy at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital between March 1995 and July 1997. The procedure was performed 73 times in 68 patients. Indications and diagnoses were noted. The outcome in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding or anaemia in whom a vascular lesion was treated with a heater probe was also determined. Results: Enteroscopy was performed in 23 patients for gastrointestinal bleeding of obscure origin. An active or possible bleeding source was found in 13 (57%). The commonest of these was jejunal angiodysplasia. In the 21 patients with chronic iron deficiency anaemia a lesion was found in ten (48%). The majority of these were in the stomach, as described by others. The diagnostic yield in the 16 patients having enteroscopy for known or suspected small bowel disease was 56%. One patient, underwent balloon dilatation of a postoperative jejunal stricture. Eleven patients with obscure bleeding or anaemia had ablation of a vascular lesion with a heater probe. Transfusion requirements fell after this procedure, particularly in those with active bleeding at the time of the examination. In five of the 11 no further transfusions were required in over six months of follow-up. Conclusions: The most common indications for enteroscopy are obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, chronic anaemia and known or suspected small bowel disease. A positive result can be expected in over 50% of patients. The treatment of vascular lesions via the enteroscope has a significant impact of subsequent transfusion requirements.