Endoscopy 2005; 37(9): 793-800
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-870246
Original Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A Novel Diagnostic Tool for Detecting Functional Patency of the Small Bowel: the Given Patency Capsule

C.  Spada1 , G.  Spera1 , M.  Riccioni1 , L.  Biancone2 , L.  Petruzziello1 , A.  Tringali1 , P.  Familiari1 , M.  Marchese1 , G.  Onder3 , M.  Mutignani1 , V.  Perri1 , C.  Petruzziello2 , F.  Pallone2 , G.  Costamagna1
  • 1Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
  • 2Department of Gastroenterology, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
  • 3Department of Geriatrics, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Submitted 4 November 2004

Accepted after Revision 31 May 2005

Publication Date:
22 August 2005 (online)

Background and Study Aims: The current visualization of small-bowel strictures using traditional radiological methods is associated with high radiation doses and false-negative results. These methods do not always reveal small-bowel patency for solids. The aim is to assess the safety of the Given patency system and its ability to detect intestinal strictures in patients with strictures that are known or suspected radiologically.
Materials and Methods: The Given patency capsule is composed of lactose, remains intact in the gastrointestinal tract for 40 - 100 hours post ingestion, and disintegrates thereafter. A total of 34 patients with small-bowel stricture were prospectively enrolled; 30 had a previous diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, three had adhesion syndrome and in one ischemic enteritis was suspected. Of the patients, 15 (44.1 %) had previously undergone surgery. Following ingestion, the capsule was monitored for integrity and transit time, using a specially designed Given scanner and also radiologically. Seventeen patients had been enrolled with the intent of using the patency capsule as a preliminary test in patients with small-bowel strictures before undergoing video capsule endoscopy.
Results: 30 patients (88.2 %) retrieved the capsule in the stool; it was intact in 20 (median transit time 22 hours), and disintegrated in 10 patients (median transit time 53 hours). Six patients complained of abdominal pain which disappeared within 24 hours. The scanner successfully indicated the presence of the capsule in 94 % of cases. Ten patients underwent video capsule endoscopy following the patency capsule examination; in all of these the video capsule passed through the small-bowel stricture.
Conclusions: This feasibility study has shown that the Given patency capsule is a safe, effective, and convenient tool for assessment of functional patency of the small bowel. It can indicate functional patency even in cases where traditional radiology indicates stricture.

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G. Costamagna, M. D.

Digestive Endoscopy Unit, A. Gemelli University Hospital

Largo A. Gemelli 8 · 00168 Rome · Italy

Fax: +39-06-3015-6581

Email: gcostamagna@rm.unicatt.it