Ileal inflammatory fibroid polyp: A rare cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding diagnosed by wireless capsule endoscopy

Obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is defined as bleeding of an unknown origin that persists or recurs after a negative initial or primary endoscopy (upper and/or lower GI endoscopy) (1). The source of bleeding is frequently located in the small bowel, which can only be partially examined by conventional endoscopy. Radiographic and radioisotopic techniques for small bowel evaluation are relatively insensitive for small lesions and in the absence of brisk bleeding, and other techniques are complex, are poorly tolerated, and carry a moderate risk of complications (2, 3). A painless, swallowable capsule containing a video device (Given Imaging, Inc., Yoqneam, Israel) was recently developed in order to record photographic images of the small bowel during normal peristaltic motion (4). We present here the case of a patient with an inflammatory fibroid polyp as the focus of small bowel bleeding which was diagnosed by wireless capsule endoscopy.