Abbreviations
AI:
artificial intelligence
BSG:
British Society of Gastroenterology
CD:
Crohn’s disease
CECDAI:
Capsule Endoscopy Crohn’s Disease Activity Index
CI:
confidence interval
CRP:
C-reactive protein
CTE:
computed tomography enterography
DAE:
device-assisted enteroscopy
DBE:
double-balloon enteroscopy
DPEJ:
direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy
EATL:
enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma
EmA:
antiendomysial antibody
ERCP:
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ESGE:
European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
ESPGHAN:
European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
ESR:
erythrocyte sedimentation rate
EUS:
endoscopic ultrasound
FOBT:
fecal occult blood testing
GI:
gastrointestinal
GIST:
gastrointestinal stromal tumor
GRADE:
Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation
HR:
hazard ratio
IBD-U:
inflammatory bowel disease, unclassified type
ICCE:
International Conference on Capsule Endoscopy
IDA:
iron-deficiency anemia
IRT:
iron replacement trial
MCV:
mean corpuscular volume
MRE:
magnetic resonance enterography
MRI:
magnetic resonance imaging
NEN:
neuroendocrine neoplasm
NPV:
negative predictive value
NSAID:
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
OGIB:
obscure gastrointestinal bleeding
OR:
odds ratio
PE:
push-enteroscopy
PEJ:
percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy
PJS:
Peutz–Jeghers syndrome
PPI:
proton pump inhibitor
PPV:
positive predictive value
RCD:
refractory celiac disease
RCT:
randomized controlled trial
RFIT:
radiofrequency identification tag
RYGB:
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
SB:
small-bowel
SBCE:
small-bowel capsule endoscopy
SBE:
single-balloon enteroscopy
SBT:
small-bowel tumor
SEMS:
self-expanding metal stent
SSBB:
suspected small-bowel bleeding
tTG:
antitransglutaminase antibody
UC:
ulcerative colitis
This Guideline is an official statement from the European Society of Gastrointestinal
Endoscopy (ESGE). It is an update of the previously published 2015 ESGE Clinical Guideline
addressing the role of small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) and device-assisted enteroscopy
(DAE) for diagnosing and treating small-bowel disorders.
Introduction
The introduction of small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) and device-assisted endoscopy
(DAE) over 20 years ago marked the beginning of a new era for investigating the small
intestine. There is now more solid scientific evidence on established indications,
and more data on new applications of enteroscopy are available. The aim of this Guideline,
commissioned by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) as an update
of the previous 2015 Guideline [1 ], is to provide guidance for the clinical application of enteroscopy techniques in
the management of adult patients with small-bowel (SB) disorders.
Methods
ESGE commissioned this clinical Guideline (ESGE Guideline Committee Chair, K.T.) and
appointed a guideline leader (M.P.) who formed a coordinating team (M.P., E.R., P.C.V.).
The guideline leader established six task forces, each with its leader (C.S., E.D.,
M.K., D.S.S., T.M., X.D.). Key questions were prepared by the coordinating team according
to the PICO (patients, interventions, controls, outcomes) format and divided among
the six task forces (see Table 1 s , Key Questions, available online-only in Supplementary Material). Given that this
is an update of the 2015 ESGE Clinical Guideline [1 ], each task force performed a structured, systematic search, using keywords, for
available literature (English-language articles) from December 2014 to November 30
2021 in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews; the literature search was then updated up to April 1 2022, to look for recently
released papers. A dedicated manual search was also performed in the same timeframe
by checking references of relevant papers. The hierarchy of studies included in this
evidence-based guideline was, in decreasing order of evidence level: published systematic
reviews/meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective and retrospective
observational studies, and case series.
Evidence on each key question was summarized in tables (Table 2 s , Evidence tables), using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and
Evaluation (GRADE) system, wherever applicable [2 ]. The evidence grading depends on the balance between any health intervention’s benefits
and their risk or burden. Further details on ESGE guideline development are available
elsewhere [3 ].
The literature search results and answers to PICO questions were presented to all
guideline group members during an online meeting on October 8 2021. Subsequently,
drafts for each topic were prepared by each task force leader and distributed between
the task force members for revision and discussion. In June 2022, a draft prepared
by the coordinating team, including all the statements, was sent to all guideline
group members. All the statements were discussed and modified in real time, if necessary,
during an online meeting on June 24 2022. After the agreement of all members was obtained,
the manuscript was reviewed by two independent external reviewers. The manuscript
was then sent to the 51 ESGE member societies and to individual members for further
comments. The final revised manuscript, having been agreed upon by all authors, was
submitted for publication to the journal Endoscopy .
This ESGE Guideline was issued in 2022 and will be considered for update in 2027. Any
interim updates will be noted on the ESGE website: http://www.esge.com/esge-guidelines.html.
Evidence statements and Recommendations
Evidence statements and Recommendations
Evidence statements and Recommendations are grouped according to the different task
force topics: suspected small-bowel bleeding (SSBB) and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA)
(task force 1), Crohn’s disease (CD) (task force 2), small-bowel tumors (SBTs) and
inherited polyposis syndromes (task force 3), celiac disease (task force 4), other
indications (task force 5), and innovations (task force 6). Each statement is followed
by the assessment of the strength of evidence, based on GRADE. [Table 1 ] summarizes all recommendations in this updated Guideline.
Table 1
Small-bowel capsule endoscopy and device-assisted enteroscopy for diagnosis and treatment
of small-bowel disorders. Summary of all ESGE Guideline 2015 and ESGE Guideline 2022
recommendations. Changes from the 2015 Guideline (new or modified recommendations)
are shown in bold.
ESGE Guideline 2015
ESGE Guideline 2022 (in bold if modified)
Suspected small-bowel bleeding
1. ESGE recommends small-bowel video capsule endoscopy as the first-line investigation
in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (strong recommendation, moderate
quality evidence).
1. ESGE recommends small-bowel capsule endoscopy as the first-line examination, before
consideration of other endoscopic and radiological diagnostic tests for suspected
small-bowel bleeding, given the excellent safety profile of capsule endoscopy, its
patient tolerability, and its potential to visualize the entire small-bowel mucosa. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
2. ESGE recommends against push-enteroscopy as the first-line investigation in patients
with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, because of its lower diagnostic yield compared
with small-bowel capsule endoscopy (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence).
3. ESGE recommends performance of small-bowel capsule endoscopy as the first-line
examination, before consideration of small bowel radiographic studies or mesenteric
angiography, when small-bowel evaluation is indicated for obscure gastrointestinal
bleeding (strong recommendation, high quality evidence). Computed tomography enterography/enteroclysis
may be a complementary examination to capsule endoscopy in selected patients (weak
recommendation, low quality evidence).
4. Because of capsule endoscopy's excellent safety profile, patient tolerability,
and potential for complete enteroscopy, ESGE recommends performance of small-bowel
capsule endoscopy as the first-line examination, before consideration of device-assisted
enteroscopy, when small-bowel evaluation is indicated for obscure gastrointestinal
bleeding (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence).
5. In patients with overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding ESGE recommends performing
small-bowel capsule endoscopy as soon as possible after the bleeding episode, optimally
within 14 days, in order to maximize the diagnostic yield (strong recommendation,
moderate quality evidence).
2. ESGE recommends small-bowel capsule endoscopy in patients with overt suspected
small-bowel bleeding as soon as possible after the bleeding episode, ideally within
48 hours, to maximize the diagnostic and subsequent therapeutic yield. Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
6. ESGE suggests that emergency small-bowel capsule endoscopy should be considered
in patients with ongoing overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (weak recommendation,
moderate quality evidence). In such patients, ESGE suggests that device-assisted enteroscopy
should also be considered as a possible first-line test, given that it allows diagnosis
and treatment in the same procedure (weak recommendation, low quality evidence).
3. ESGE suggests that device-assisted enteroscopy be considered as an alternative
first-line test in selected cases, given that it allows diagnosis and treatment in
the same procedure, depending on the clinical scenario and local availability. Weak recommendation, low quality evidence.
4. ESGE recommends, in patients with overt suspected small-bowel bleeding, device-assisted
enteroscopy to be performed optimally within 48–72 hours after the bleeding episode. Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
7. Given the spectrum of findings usually identified in patients with obscure gastrointestinal
bleeding, when small-bowel capsule endoscopy is unavailable or contraindicated, ESGE
suggests consideration of device-assisted enteroscopy as the first diagnostic test
in these patients (weak recommendation, low quality evidence). ESGE suggests that
device-assisted enteroscopy performed with diagnostic intent should be done as soon
as possible after the bleeding episode (weak recommendation, low quality evidence).
5. ESGE suggests consideration of device-assisted enteroscopy and/or dedicated small-bowel
cross-sectional imaging as the first diagnostic test in patients with suspected small-bowel
bleeding, depending on availability, expertise, and clinical suspicion, when small-bowel
capsule endoscopy is unavailable or contraindicated. Weak recommendation, low quality evidence.
8. ESGE does not recommend the routine performance of second-look endoscopy prior
to small-bowel capsule endoscopy; however whether to perform second-look endoscopy
before capsule endoscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding or iron-deficiency
anaemia should be decided on a case-by-case basis (strong recommendation, low quality
evidence).
6. ESGE does not recommend routine second-look endoscopy prior to small-bowel capsule
endoscopy in patients with suspected small-bowel bleeding or iron-deficiency anaemia.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
9. ESGE recommends conservative management in those patients with obscure gastrointestinal
bleeding (OGIB) and a negative small-bowel video capsule endoscopy (VCE) who do not
have ongoing bleeding shown by overt bleeding or continued need for blood transfusions,
since their prognosis is excellent and the risk of re-bleeding is low (strong recommendation,
moderate qualityevidence).
7. ESGE recommends conservative management in those patients with suspected small-bowel
bleeding and high quality negative small-bowel capsule endoscopy. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
10. ESGE recommends further investigation using repeat VCE, device-assisted enteroscopy,
or computed tomography-enterography/enteroclysis for patients with OGIB and a negative
VCE who have ongoing bleeding shown by overt bleeding or continued need for blood
transfusions (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence).
8. ESGE recommends further investigation using repeat small-bowel capsule endoscopy,
device-assisted enteroscopy, or dedicated small-bowel cross-sectional imaging for
patients with suspected small-bowel bleeding and high quality negative small-bowel
capsule endoscopy who have ongoing overt bleeding or continued need for blood transfusions. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
11. In patients with positive findings at small-bowel capsule endoscopy, ESGE recommends
device-assisted enteroscopy to confirm and possibly treat lesions identified by capsule
endoscopy (strong recommendation, high quality evidence).
9. ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy to confirm and possibly treat lesions
identified by small-bowel capsule endoscopy. Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
Iron-deficiency anaemia
12. In patients with iron-deficiency anaemia, ESGE recommends that prior to small-bowel
capsule endoscopy, all the following are undertaken: acquisition of a complete medical
history (including medication use, co-morbidities, and gynaecological history in premenopausal
females), oesophagogastroduodenoscopy with duodenal and gastric biopsies, and ileocolonoscopy
(strong recommendation, low quality evidence).
10. ESGE recommends that in patients with iron-deficiency anaemia, the following are
undertaken prior to small bowel evaluation: acquisition of a complete medical history,
esophagogastroduodenoscopy with duodenal and gastric biopsies, and ileocolonoscopy. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
13. In patients with iron-deficiency anaemia, ESGE recommends performance of small-bowel
capsule endoscopy as a first-line examination, before consideration of other diagnostic
modalities, when upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopies are inconclusive and
small-bowel evaluation is indicated (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence).
11. ESGE recommends the performance of small-bowel capsule endoscopy as a first-line
examination in patients with iron-deficiency anaemia when small bowel evaluation is
indicated. Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
Suspected Crohn’s disease
14. ESGE recommends ileocolonoscopy as the first endoscopic examination for investigating
patients with suspected Crohn’s disease (strong recommendation, high quality evidence).
12. ESGE recommends ileocolonoscopy as the first endoscopic examination for investigating
patients with suspected Crohn’s disease. Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
15. In patients with suspected Crohn’s disease and negative ileocolonoscopy findings,
ESGE recommends small-bowel capsule endoscopy as the initial diagnostic modality for
investigating the small bowel, in the absence of obstructive symptoms or known stenosis
(strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence).
13. ESGE recommends small-bowel capsule endoscopy in patients with suspected Crohn’s
disease and negative ileocolonoscopy findings as the initial diagnostic modality for
investigating the small bowel, in the absence of obstructive symptoms or known bowel
stenosis. Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
16. ESGE does not recommend routine small-bowel imaging or the use of the PillCam
patency capsule prior to capsule endoscopy in these patients (strong recommendation,
low quality evidence).
14. ESGE does not recommend routine cross-sectional small-bowel imaging or the use
of a patency capsule prior to capsule endoscopy to prevent the retention of the device
in patients with suspected Crohn’s disease. Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
17. In the presence of obstructive symptoms or known stenosis, ESGE recommends that
dedicated small-bowel cross-sectional imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance
enterography/enteroclysis or computed tomography enterography/enteroclysis should
be used first (strong recommendation, lowquality evidence).
15. ESGE recommends that dedicated small-bowel cross-sectional imaging modalities
be used first in patients with suspected Crohn’s disease and obstructive symptoms
or known bowel stenosis. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
16. ESGE recommends the use of a patency capsule prior to small-bowel capsule endoscopy
in patients with suspected Crohn’s disease and obstructive symptoms. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
18. In the setting of suspected Crohn’s disease, ESGE recommends careful patient selection
(using the clinical history and serological/faecal inflammatory markers) prior to
small-bowel capsule endoscopy, in order to improve the diagnostic accuracy of capsule
endoscopy for lesions consistent with active small-bowel Crohn’s disease (strong recommendation,
low quality evidence).
17. ESGE recommends careful patient selection (using clinical history and serological/fecal
inflammatory markers) prior to small-bowel capsule endoscopy to improve the diagnostic
accuracy for lesions consistent with active small-bowel Crohn’s disease. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
19. ESGE recommends discontinuation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
for at least 1 month before capsule endoscopy since these drugs may induce small-bowel
mucosal lesions indistinguishable from those caused by Crohn’s disease (strong recommendation,
low quality evidence).
18. ESGE recommends discontinuation of both selective and non-selective nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, including short-term use, as well as of low dose and/or enteric-coated
aspirin (if the patient's condition allows), for at least 4 weeks before capsule endoscopy
since these drugs may induce small-bowel mucosal lesions that are indistinguishable
from those caused by Crohn’s disease. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
20. ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy with small-bowel biopsy in patients
with noncontributory ileocolonoscopy and with suspicion of Crohn’s disease on small-bowel
cross-sectional imaging modalities or small-bowel capsule endoscopy. Device-assisted
enteroscopy with small-bowel biopsy is more likely to provide definitive evidence
of Crohn’s disease than cross-sectional imaging, although the latter offers a useful
less invasive alternative that better defines transmural complication (strong recommendation,
high quality evidence).
19. ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy with small-bowel biopsies in patients
with noncontributory ileocolonoscopy and suspected Crohn’s disease on small-bowel
cross-sectional imaging modalities or small-bowel capsule endoscopy. Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
Established Crohn’s disease
21. In patients with established Crohn’s disease, based on ileocolonoscopy findings,
ESGE recommends dedicated cross-sectional imaging for small-bowel evaluation since
this has the potential to assess extent and location of any Crohn’s disease lesions,
to identify strictures, and to assess for extraluminal disease (strong recommendation,
low quality evidence).
20. ESGE recommends, in patients with established Crohn’s disease based on ileocolonoscopy
findings, dedicated cross-sectional imaging for small-bowel evaluation since this
has the potential to assess the extent and location of any Crohn’s disease lesions,
to identify strictures, and to assess for extraluminal disease. Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
22. In patients with unremarkable or nondiagnostic findings from such cross-sectional
imaging of the small bowel, ESGE recommends small-bowel capsule endoscopy as a subsequent
investigation, if deemed to influence patient management (strong recommendation, low
quality evidence).
21. ESGE recommends, in patients with unremarkable or nondiagnostic findings from
dedicated small-bowel cross-sectional imaging, small-bowel capsule endoscopy as a
subsequent investigation if deemed likely to influence patient management. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
Not addressed in the 2015 Guideline
22. ESGE suggests that small-bowel capsule endoscopy may be useful for assessment
of Crohn’s disease extent and for monitoring and guiding the “treat-to-target” strategy. Weak recommendation, low quality evidence.
23. ESGE suggests the use of activity scores (such as the Lewis score and the Capsule
Endoscopy Crohn’s Disease Activity Index) to facilitate prospective small-bowel capsule
endoscopy follow-up of patients for longitudinal assessment of the course of small-bowel
Crohn’s disease and its response to medical therapy (using mucosal healing as an end
point) (weak recommendation, low quality evidence).
23. ESGE recommends the use of activity scores (such as the Lewis score and the Capsule
Endoscopy Crohn’s Disease Activity Index [CEDCAI]) to facilitate prospective small-bowel
capsule endoscopy follow-up of patients for longitudinal assessment of small-bowel
Crohn’s disease and its response to medical therapy (using mucosal healing as an endpoint). Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
24. When capsule endoscopy is indicated, ESGE recommends use of the PillCam patency
capsule to confirm functional patency of the small bowel (strong recommendation, low
quality evidence).
24. ESGE recommends, in patients with established Crohn’s disease, the use of a patency
capsule before small-bowel capsule endoscopy to decrease the capsule retention rate. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
25. ESGE recommends initial conservative treatment in the case of capsule retention.
ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy if medical therapy has not led to promote
spontaneous passage (strong recommendation, low quality evidence).
25. ESGE recommends initial conservative treatment in the case of capsule retention.
Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
26. ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy if medical therapy has not achieved
spontaneous capsule passage. Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
26. ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy if small-bowel endotherapy is indicated
(including dilation of Crohn’s disease small-bowel strictures, retrieval of foreign
bodies, and treatment of small-bowel bleeding) (strong recommendation, low quality
evidence).
27. ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy if small-bowel endotherapy is indicated
(including dilation of Crohn’s disease small-bowel strictures, retrieval of a retained
capsule, and/or treatment of small-bowel bleeding). Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
27. ESGE recognises small-bowel capsule endoscopy/device-assisted enteroscopy and
magnetic resonance or computed tomography enterography/enteroclysis as complementary
strategies (weak recommendation, low quality evidence). Cost-effectiveness data regarding
optimal investigation strategies for diagnosis of small-bowel Crohn’s disease are
lacking.
See statements 13,15,19,20,21,27
Familial adenomatous polyposis
28. ESGE recommends that surveillance of the proximal small bowel in familial adenomatous
polyposis is best performed using conventional forward-viewing and side-viewing endoscopes
(strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence).
28. ESGE recommends surveillance of the proximal small bowel in familial adenomatous
polyposis using conventional forward-viewing and side-viewing endoscopes. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
29. ESGE does not recommend small-bowel capsule endoscopy for surveillance of the
proximal small bowel in familial adenomatous polyposis. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
29. When small-bowel investigation is clinically indicated in familial adenomatous
polyposis, ESGE suggests that small-bowel capsule endoscopy and/or cross-sectional
imaging techniques may be considered for identifying polyps in the rest of the small
bowel, but the clinical relevance of such findings remains to be demonstrated (weak
recommendation, moderate quality evidence).
30. ESGE suggests that small-bowel capsule endoscopy and/or cross-sectional imaging
techniques may be considered when investigation of the mid-distal small-bowel is clinically
indicated in familial adenomatous polyposis. Weak recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
Peutz–Jeghers syndrome
30. ESGE recommends small-bowel surveillance in patients with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome.
Small-bowel capsule endoscopy and/or magnetic resonance enterography/enteroclysis
appear adequate methods for this purpose, depending on local availability and expertise,
or patient preference (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence)
31. ESGE recommends, for small bowel surveillance in patients with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome,
small-bowel capsule endoscopy and/or magnetic resonance enterography, depending on
local availability and expertise and/or patient preference. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
31. ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy with timely polypectomy when large
polyps ( > 10–15 mm) are discovered by radiological examination or small-bowel capsule
endoscopy in patients with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome (strong recommendation, moderate
quality evidence).
32. ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy with polypectomy when large polyps
( > 15 mm) or symptomatic polyps are discovered by radiological examination or small-bowel
capsule endoscopy in patients with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
Juvenile polyposis
Not addressed in the 2015 Guideline
33. ESGE recommends that routine evaluation of the small bowel in juvenile polyposis
patients should be limited to the duodenum and based on flexible forward-viewing endoscopy.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
Small-bowel tumors
32. ESGE recommends early use of small-bowel video capsule endoscopy in the search
for a small-bowel tumour when obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and iron-deficiency
anaemia are not explained otherwise (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence).
34. ESGE recommends the use of small-bowel capsule endoscopy in patients where there
is an increased risk of a small-bowel tumor. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
33. In the setting of suspicion of a small-bowel tumour, ESGE does not recommend specific
investigations before small-bowel capsule endoscopy in patients without evidence for
stenosis or previous small-bowel resection (strong recommendation, low quality evidence).
35. ESGE does not recommend, in the setting of suspected small-bowel tumor, specific
investigations before small-bowel capsule endoscopy unless patients are considered
to be at risk of capsule retention. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
34. ESGE recommends consideration of device-assisted enteroscopy in preference to
small-bowel capsule endoscopy if imaging tests have already shown suspicion of small-bowel
tumour (strong recommendation, low quality evidence).
36. ESGE recommends consideration of device-assisted enteroscopy in preference to
small-bowel capsule endoscopy if imaging tests have already demonstrated suspected
small-bowel tumor. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
35. ESGE recommends cross-sectional imaging to ascertain operability when there is
a small-bowel capsule endoscopy finding of small-bowel tumour with a high diagnostic
certainty. When there is uncertain diagnosis of small-bowel tumour at capsule endoscopy,
biopsy sampling by device-assisted enteroscopy is required (strong recommendation,
low quality evidence).
37. ESGE recommends cross-sectional imaging for staging and ascertaining operability
when there is a small-bowel capsule endoscopy finding of a small-bowel tumor with
high diagnostic certainty. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
38. ESGE recommends, when there is an uncertain diagnosis of small-bowel tumor at
capsule endoscopy, biopsy sampling and tattooing of its location by device-assisted
enteroscopy. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
36. When a submucosal mass is detected by small-bowel capsule endoscopy, ESGE recommends
confirmation of the diagnosis by device-assisted enteroscopy (strong recommendation,
low quality evidence).
39. ESGE recommends, when a subepithelial mass is detected by small-bowel capsule
endoscopy, confirmation of the diagnosis by device-assisted enteroscopy and/or cross-sectional
imaging, depending on local availability and expertise. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
37. When capsule endoscopy shows high suspicion of submucosal mass and there is a
negative but incomplete device-assisted enteroscopy, ESGE suggests cross-sectional
imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis (weak recommendation, low quality evidence).
38. ESGE recommends against small-bowel capsule endoscopy in the follow-up of treated
small-bowel tumours because of lack of data (strong recommendation, low quality evidence).
40. ESGE does not recommend small-bowel capsule endoscopy in the follow-up of treated
small-bowel tumors because of lack of data. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
Not addressed in the 2015 Guideline
41. ESGE suggests considering enteroscopic placement of self-expanding metal stents
in the palliation of malignant small-bowel strictures as an alternative option to
surgery. Weak recommendation, low quality evidence.
Celiac disease
39. ESGE strongly recommends against the use of small-bowel capsule endoscopy for
suspected coeliac disease but suggests that capsule endoscopy could be used in patients
unwilling or unable to undergo conventional endoscopy (strong recommendation, low
quality evidence).
42. ESGE does not recommend small-bowel capsule endoscopy to diagnose celiac disease. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
40. ESGE recommends that there is no role for small-bowel capsule endoscopy in assessing
the extent of disease or response to a gluten- free diet (strong recommendation, low
quality evidence).
41. ESGE suggests the use of small-bowel capsule endoscopy in cases of equivocal diagnosis
of coeliac disease (weak recommendation, low quality evidence).
43. ESGE recommends using small-bowel capsule endoscopy in cases of equivocal diagnosis
of celiac disease since it is essential for final diagnosis and therapy. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
42. ESGE recommends initial assessment by small-bowel capsule endoscopy followed by
device-assisted enteroscopy in nonresponsive or refractory coeliac disease (strong
recommendation, low quality evidence).
44. ESGE recommends in nonresponsive or refractory celiac disease, small-bowel capsule
endoscopy followed by device-assisted enteroscopy for diagnosis and disease monitoring. Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
Chronic abdominal pain
Not addressed in the 2015 Guideline
45. ESGE does not recommend small-bowel capsule endoscopy as the first-line investigation
for patients with isolated chronic abdominal pain. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
Foreign-body retrieval
Not addressed in the 2015 Guideline
46. ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy as an alternative to surgery for foreign
bodies retained in the small bowel requiring retrieval in patients without acute intestinal
obstruction. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
DAE-assisted percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) for enteral feeding
Not addressed in the 2015 Guideline
47. ESGE suggests that in patients requiring jejunostomy for enteral feeding, DAE-assisted
percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) is a possible alternative to surgical jejunostomy. Weak recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
DAE-ERCP in patients with altered anatomy
Not addressed in the 2015 Guideline
48. ESGE recommends DAE-ERCP as a first-line endoscopic approach to treat pancreaticobiliary
diseases in patients with surgically altered anatomy (except for Billroth II patients). Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
DAE, device-assisted enteroscopy; ERCP, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography;
ESGE, European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; PEJ, percutaneous endoscopic
jejunostomy
Suspected small-bowel bleeding
Suspected small-bowel bleeding
ESGE recommends small-bowel capsule endoscopy as the first-line examination, before
consideration of other endoscopic and radiological diagnostic tests, for suspected
small-bowel bleeding, given the excellent safety profile of capsule endoscopy, its
patient tolerability, and its potential to visualize the entire small-bowel mucosa.
Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
Small-bowel (SB) bleeding is defined as bleeding in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract
between the ampulla of Vater and the ileocecal valve. SB bleeding is suspected when
a patient presents with GI bleeding but has negative upper and lower endoscopy findings;
it can present as overt or occult bleeding. The term “obscure gastrointestinal bleeding”
(OGIB) should be reserved for patients not found to have a source of bleeding even
after the performance of SB evaluation [4 ].
The diagnostic yield of small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) in patients with suspected
small-bowel bleeding (SSBB) ranges from 55 % to 62 % [5 ]
[6 ]
[7 ]. Compared with alternative modalities, SBCE has been consistently shown in prospective
studies to be significantly superior to push-enteroscopy [8 ], computed tomography enterography (CTE) [9 ], CT angiography and standard angiography [10 ], and intraoperative enteroscopy [11 ], and to be as good as DAE [6 ] in evaluating and finding the lesion(s) causing the bleeding in patients with SSBB.
Careful patient selection may improve the diagnostic yield of SBCE in patients with
SSBB. Diagnostic yield is greatest if the interval between SBCE and the last bleeding
episode is as short as possible [12 ] (see following statements and supporting evidence). Other characteristics associated
with an increased yield include a history of an overt bleed, use of antithrombotic
agents, inpatient status, male sex, older age, and liver and renal comorbidities [13 ]
[14 ]. From a technical point of view, a careful and focused review, performed by adequately
trained readers, using the latest available technological advances (e. g., chromoendoscopy
[15 ], and artificial intelligence [AI]) might contribute to further increasing the diagnostic
yield of capsule endoscopy.
In patients with SSBB, SBCE showed an excellent safety profile. The rates of capsule
retention range from 1.2 % [5 ] to 2.1 % [16 ]. Thus, routine cross-sectional imaging or the use of a patency capsule is not essential
before SBCE in these patients.
It is known that cross-sectional techniques may be helpful in SSBB [4 ]. This updated Guideline can report only a few further studies that have been published
on this subject. A meta-analysis, with 9 mainly high quality studies (396 patients),
evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of CTE on SSBB detection [17 ]. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of CTE were 0.724 (95 %CI 0.651–0.789) and
0.752 (95 %CI 0.691–0.807), respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.7916
(95 %CI 0.723–0.860). A small retrospective cohort study [18 ] showed that when CTE and SBCE were used in combination within 30 days, the sensitivity
was significantly higher at 30/31 (96.8 %) than that of SBCE alone at 24/31 (77.4 %;
P = 0.0412).
Although CTE showed only moderate accuracy in the diagnosis of SSBB, it must also
be remembered that SBCE can miss solitary protruding lesions in the proximal small
bowel, such as small-bowel tumors (SBTs) [19 ]. CTE may thus be reasonably used as a complementary diagnostic method to SBCE, especially
when an SBT is suspected.
DAE is both diagnostic and therapeutic but compared with SBCE, it has a lower rate
of complete examination of the small bowel and is more invasive. In addition, the
diagnostic yield of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) improves from 56 % (95 %CI 48.9 %–62.1 %)
to 75 % (95 %CI 60.1 %–90.0 %) if DBE is preceded by a positive SBCE (odds ratio [OR]
for positive DBE 1.79, 95 %CI 1.09 %–2.96 %; P = 0.02) [6 ]. Although the clinical presentation may indicate the preferential endoscopic insertion
route for DAE, SBCE is also an effective tool for guiding the selection of the correct
DAE approach (oral vs. anal) [20 ].
As already stated in previous guidelines [1 ] and on the basis of all the above scientific evidence, SBCE can be recommended as
the first-line investigation in patients with SSBB. This agrees with the recommendations
of other scientific societies [4 ]
[21 ]
[22 ].
[Fig. 1 ] presents recommended approaches for diagnosis and treatment of SSBB.
Fig. 1 Recommended approaches for diagnosis and treatment of suspected small-bowel bleeding
(SSBB). a In patients with overt SSBB, small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) should be performed
as soon as possible after the bleeding episode, ideally within 48 hours. b When SBCE is contraindicated or unavailable, device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) and/or
dedicated small-bowel (SB) cross-sectional imaging may be considered for SB evaluation,
depending on availability, expertise, and clinical suspicion. c DAE can also be considered as alternative first-line examination in selected cases,
depending on the clinical scenario and local availability, and should be performed
optimally within 48–72 hours after the bleeding episode. d In patients with significant active bleeding and unsuitable for flexible endoscopy,
computed tomography (CT) angiography or angiography may be considered. e Upper and/or lower gastrointestinal endoscopy may also be considered on a case-by-case
basis to identify lesions overlooked at baseline endoscopy. CTE, computed tomography
enterography.
ESGE recommends small-bowel capsule endoscopy in patients with overt suspected small-bowel
bleeding as soon as possible after the bleeding episode, ideally within 48 hours,
to maximize the diagnostic and subsequent therapeutic yield.
Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
Despite the unquestionable role of early SB evaluation in patients with SSBB, especially
in cases of overt bleeding, the optimal timing is still debated. The 14-day timeframe,
suggested in the previous ESGE guideline [1 ], is somewhat arbitrary and quite broad.
Since the publication of the initial guideline [1 ], six retrospective studies and two meta-analyses have been published to compare
the diagnostic and therapeutic yield of SB endoscopic procedures in the setting of
overt SB bleeding according to the timing of SB evaluation (performed with either
SBCE or DAE).
Zhao et al. [23 ] carried out a propensity score-matching study on 997 patients, that supported previous
ESGE statements; they found that early SBCE (within 14 days from last bleeding event)
was associated with a significantly higher rate of diagnosis (56.4 % vs. 45.5 %, P = 0.001), with ORs of 0.648 (95 %CI 0.496–0.847, P = 0.001) and 0.666 (95 %CI 0.496–0.894, P = 0.007) at univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively. In this study, the incidence
of rebleeding within 1 year following treatment was significantly lower (24.7 % vs.
36.7 %, P = 0.041) for patients who underwent early SBCE. Chao et al. [24 ] reported a detection rate for the source of bleeding ranging from 70 % to 77.6 %
if SBCE was performed in the first 3 days from the first bleeding episode in patients
(n = 60) with overt bleeding. In contrast, the detection rate decreased to 36.4 %
if SBCE was performed after the 4th day. Using a 48-hour cut-off, Kim et al. [25 ] found that among 94 patients, the 30 who underwent SBCE within 2 days from the last
bleeding had a greater diagnostic yield (66.7 % vs. 40.6 %, P = 0.019), a greater subsequent therapeutic yield (24.7 % vs. 9.4 %, (P = 0.028) and a shorter hospital stay (5 days, 95 %CI 4.8–7.7 vs. 7 days, 95 %CI 6.9–10.1,
P = 0.039)0. A shorter hospital stay, as well as a decrease in resource utilization in
the index hospitalization, was also demonstrated by Wood et al. [26 ] in inpatients receiving an early SBCE. Iio et al. [27 ] found a lesion detection rate of 80% (12/15) in patients with ongoing overt bleeding
who underwent early SBCE (15/127) compared to 47 % (53/112) in the “late” group (P = 0.0174). These data were consistent with the results of Song et al. [28 ], who showed that early deployment of SBCE results in a significantly higher diagnostic
yield (OR for relevant lesion detection was 4.99 for < 24-h group vs. 8-day group).
On the other hand, in the study of Gomes et al. [29 ] (n = 115), where the timing of SBCE was further divided (≤ 48 h, 48h–14 d, ≥ 14 d),
the overall diagnostic yield was high (about 80 %) and similar among the three groups
irrespective of SBCE timing (P = 0.39). However, the three timing-based subgroups were small (about 30 patients in
each) and when SBCE was performed within 48 hours, a trend toward an increased diagnostic
yield was observed (P = 0.06). In addition, the early group showed the highest therapeutic yield (66.7 % vs.
40 % vs. 31.7%, P = 0.005) and the lowest rebleeding rate (15.4 % vs. 34.3 % vs. 46.3 %, P = 0.007), with a longer time to rebleed when compared with the > 48-h groups (P = 0.03).
Recently, a meta-analysis from Uchida et al. [30 ], by pooling 19 previous studies (9 prospective, 9 retrospectives, 1 unspecified),
confirmed that performing SBCE within 2 days leads to high diagnostic and therapeutic
yields (55.9 % and 65.2 %, respectively). However, the metaregression was based on
subgroups with small sample size and heterogeneous data [30 ]. The largest meta-analysis available so far, involving 39 studies, confirmed higher
pooled diagnostic yields for SBCE performed in the first 24, 48, and 72 hours, being
83.4 % (95 %CI 76.30 %–90.46 %), 81.3 % (95 %CI 75.20 %–87.43 %) and 63.6 % (95 %CI
45.59 %–81.51 %), respectively. The pooled therapeutic yields for the same timings
were 57.56 % (95 %CI 36.95 %–78.16 %), 59.09 % (95 %CI 43.66 %–74.52 %) and 18.90 %
(95 %CI 11.26 %–26.54 %), respectively [31 ].
ESGE suggests that device-assisted enteroscopy be considered as an alternative first-line
test in selected cases, given that it allows diagnosis and treatment in the same procedure,
depending on the clinical scenario and local availability.
Weak recommendation, low quality evidence.
ESGE recommends, in patients with overt suspected small-bowel bleeding, device-assisted
enteroscopy to be performed optimally within 48–72 hours after the bleeding episode.
Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
Two previously mentioned studies [30 ]
[31 ] not only evaluated the diagnostic yield of SBCE but also dealt with the performance
of DAE in the same setting. According to Estevinho et al. [31 ], the pooled diagnostic and therapeutic yields of early DAE were superior to those
of SBCE by 7.97 and 20.89 percentage points, respectively (P < 0.05). However, it is not possible to exclude that the DAE results may be influenced
both by a selection bias, related to patient features (e. g., patients undergoing
direct DAE are likely to have more severe bleeding), and by a detection bias, since
several patients may have received another diagnostic test, with a positive result,
before DAE. In addition, urgent DAE may raise significant organizational issues; it
is not readily available in most centers and requires trained personnel.
Therefore, even in overt SSBB, a sequential approach with a diagnostic examination
(e. g., SBCE, CT angiography etc.) followed by a potentially therapeutic one (e. g.,
DAE) should be preferred. Performance of DAE in the first 72 hours is most often dependent
on performance of SBCE in the first 48 hours [31 ]. A recent retrospective study with a large sample size of patients undergoing both
SBCE and DBE [32 ] also confirmed that a short interval between the two procedures maximizes the effectiveness
of the diagnostic/therapeutic process. Although the agreement between SBCE and DBE
was generally rated as suboptimal (k = 0.059), it markedly improved (k = 0.323) when the procedures were performed within 1–5 days of each other. As demonstrated
for SBCE, in the overt SB bleeding setting, recent data confirm the importance of
keeping the interval between DAE and the bleeding episode as short as possible. In
fact, in the pooled analysis of double-arm studies [31 ], the odds for a positive diagnosis (OR 3.99; P < 0.01; I
2 = 45 %) and subsequent therapeutic intervention (OR 3.86; P < 0.01; I
2 = 67 %) were significantly superior in the early group, for either DAE or SBCE.
ESGE suggests consideration of device-assisted enteroscopy and/or dedicated small-bowel
cross-sectional imaging as the first diagnostic test in patients with suspected small-bowel
bleeding, depending on availability, expertise, and clinical suspicion, when small-bowel
capsule endoscopy is unavailable or contraindicated.
Weak recommendation, low quality evidence.
SBCE has a very limited number of absolute contraindications [33 ], such as GI obstruction. However, SBCE may also be unavailable, especially in emergency
settings, although lately, there is a trend of increasing use outside the endoscopy
suite [34 ]. Overall, there is not enough evidence-based data to recommend a single specific
examination as first-line when SBCE is unavailable. A meta-analysis [9 ] of a total of 18 studies (n = 660 patients) reported the pooled diagnostic yield
of CTE in evaluating SSBB as 40 % (95 %CI 33 %–49 %). Seven studies (n = 279) compared
the yield of CTE with SBCE. The yields for CTE and SBCE for all findings were 34 %
and 53 %, respectively (incremental yield –19 %, 95 %CI –34 % to –4 %). Therefore,
CTE has been described as an effective modality to show the precise location of bleeding
and guide subsequent enteroscopy management, especially in patients with bleeding
from tumors and overt bleeding [9 ]. In an emergency setting, DAE has been described as effective as suggested by a
recent systematic review and meta-analysis [31 ], including retrospective studies in which this procedure was performed as first-line
for selected patients.
ESGE does not recommend routine second-look endoscopy prior to small-bowel capsule
endoscopy in patients with suspected small-bowel bleeding or iron-deficiency anemia.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
Good quality upper and lower GI endoscopy is crucial in the investigation of SSBB.
Evidence and recent guidelines propose an acceptable minimal examination time to ensure
good quality examination and meeting minimum standards [35 ]
[36 ]. In patients where bidirectional endoscopy has been negative, with the persistence
of symptoms or suspicion of SB bleeding, SBCE is the preferred next diagnostic test.
Several studies had investigated routine second-look endoscopy before capsule endoscopy
and highlighted this as not being cost-effective, as stated in the 2015 Guideline
[1 ]. Since the publication of the latter, eight further studies have been published
on this subject. A study by Innocenti et al. [37 ] showed non-SB lesions detected in 30 % of cases, of which 43 % were bleeding. The
study was retrospective and without randomization. Similarly, another retrospective
study by Clere-Jehl et al. [38 ] studied 69 endoscopy-negative patients > 65 years, with persistent IDA. Further
investigations were performed in 45 patients; 64 % of the second-look GI endoscopies
led to significant changes in treatment compared with 25 % for the capsule endoscopies.
Conventional diagnoses of IDA were ultimately established for 19 (27 %) patients and
included 3 cancer patients suggesting second-look endoscopy is favored for persistent
IDA. On the other hand, a prospective study by Riccioni et al. [39 ] showed that at SBCE, findings in the upper GI tract were found in 21 % and the colon
in 6.4 %. Subsequent studies by Akin et al. [40 ], Hoedemaker et al. [41 ], and Juanmartiñena Fernández et al. [42 ]
[43 ]
[44 ] (this last group published three separate studies about esophageal, gastroduodenal,
and colonic findings on SBCE), all retrospective in nature, conclude that clinicians
should carefully review not just SB images but also those of the esophagus, stomach,
and colon.
There have been no further cost-effectiveness studies.
Overall, the current literature is inadequate to support routine repetition of standard
endoscopy, and this should be reserved on a case-by-case basis. However it highlights
the importance of a good standard of baseline endoscopy performance.
ESGE recommends conservative management in those patients with suspected small-bowel
bleeding and high quality negative small-bowel capsule endoscopy.
Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
ESGE recommends further investigation using repeat small-bowel capsule endoscopy,
device-assisted enteroscopy, or dedicated small-bowel cross-sectional imaging for
patients with suspected small-bowel bleeding and high quality negative small-bowel
capsule endoscopy who have ongoing overt bleeding or continued need for blood transfusions.
Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
Analogously to upper and lower GI endoscopy, for SBCE to be considered a reliable
diagnostic tool on which subsequent follow-up is based, it must be rated a high quality
examination, according to ESGE quality standards [45 ], and evaluated by a dedicated and properly trained reader, according to ESGE curriculum
criteria [46 ]. Even more than in upper and lower endoscopy, given the passive nature of capsule
endoscopy (e. g., lavage and aspiration cannot be done), the characteristics of the
luminal contents (e. g., presence of bubbles, fecal material, or turbid fluid) strongly
impact the quality of the examination. Therefore, adequate SB visualization is a crucial
element in ensuring a reliable assessment of the small intestine. Although the current
ESGE technical guidelines specifically address this issue [47 ], the evidence is rapidly evolving [48 ] and remains somewhat controversial [49 ].
A systematic review and meta-analysis [50 ], including 26 mostly high quality studies with 3657 individuals, showed that a negative
SBCE implies adequate assurance of a subsequently low risk of rebleeding. The pooled
rate of rebleeding after negative SBCE was 0.19 (95 %CI 0.14–0.25; P < 0.0001). The pooled OR of rebleeding was 0.59 (95 %CI 0.37–0.95; P < 0.001), and moreover, the effect was more pronounced in studies with a short follow-up
(OR 0.47, 95 %CI 0.24–0.94; P < 0.001). On top of that, prospective studies showed a lower OR of rebleeding at
0.24 (95 %CI 0.08–0.73; P = 0.01). Lastly, there was no statistically significant difference in rebleeding after
SBCE for occult and overt OGIB. Therefore, patients with negative SBCE after an episode
of SSBB can be safely managed with watchful waiting, at least in the short term [51 ]
[52 ].
However, in the long-term, recurrence of bleeding is not uncommon [53 ]
[54 ]
[55 ], and further investigations could be required. In these cases, repeating the diagnostic
workup by SBCE appears to have more diagnostic value than DAE; a small study from
Japan showed that the rate of positive findings in the repeat SBCE group was significantly
higher than in the DBE group [56 ]. A closer follow-up has been proposed in patients with a higher red blood cell transfusion
requirement previous to an SBCE and overt bleeding [55 ]
[57 ]
[58 ] or severe anemia [59 ], as they are associated with higher rebleeding rates. Recently, de Sousa Magalhães
et al. developed and validated a score (RHEMITT) that accurately predicts the individual
risk of SB rebleeding after initial SBCE [60 ]
[61 ].
ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy to confirm and possibly treat lesions
identified by small-bowel capsule endoscopy.
Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
It is known that the diagnostic yield of DBE significantly improves if DBE is preceded
by a positive SBCE [6 ] and a recent meta-analysis reported that this sequential approach increased the
diagnostic yield for vascular lesions by 7 % [62 ]. Moreover, in patients with negative SBCE, a subsequent DBE can identify the source
of the bleeding in about one third [6 ]
[56 ]. In addition to its therapeutic possibilities, DBE has been reported to help clarify
the origin of bleeding when SBCE shows only blood in the lumen or doubtful findings
[63 ]. The correct management of patients with SSBB involves using both techniques.
Although several studies have assessed the diagnostic and therapeutic yield of SBCE
and DAE in SB bleeding, the emphasis should be on meaningful results when we consider
outcomes in clinical practice. In this clinical setting, a positive patient outcome
should be either bleeding cessation or anemia resolution. In addition, other important
clinical outcomes for evaluation may include mortality and hemoglobin levels or the
reduction in the numbers of endoscopic procedures, hospitalizations, and blood transfusions.
In this regard, both the older literature [1 ] and the more recent studies evaluating the impact of SB endoscopy on the clinical
outcomes of patients with SB bleeding have produced conflicting results [32 ]
[64 ]
[65 ]
[66 ]
[67 ]
[68 ]. This is probably because considerable heterogeneity exists across studies in the
definition, relevance, and clinical management of vascular lesions and follow-up periods.
Furthermore, the studies differ in the severity of the bleeding of the enrolled patients,
and, above all, a standardized intervention protocol for the identified bleeding lesions
had not always been established a priori. Though a recent meta-analysis [31 ] assessing the impact of early SB endoscopy in patients with overt SSBB showed a
lower recurrent bleeding rate (OR 0.40; P < 0.01; I
2 = 0 %) when SBCE/DAE was performed very close to the bleeding episode, further high
quality research, including randomized trials, is needed to clarify the open questions
and clinical management regarding SB bleeding.
Iron-deficiency anemia
ESGE recommends that in patients with iron-deficiency anemia, the following are undertaken
prior to small-bowel evaluation: acquisition of a complete medical history, esophagogastroduodenoscopy
with duodenal and gastric biopsies, and ileocolonoscopy.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
ESGE recommends the performance of small-bowel capsule endoscopy as a first-line examination
in patients with iron-deficiency anemia when small bowel evaluation is indicated.
Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
The evidence published since the previous ESGE guideline [1 ] and the most recent practice guideline on IDA [69 ] confirm that, before evaluation of the small-bowel, patients with IDA should undergo
a thorough anamnestic evaluation and a multistep diagnostic–therapeutic workup that
includes endoscopic evaluation of the upper and lower digestive tract.
Furthermore, the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guideline for the management
of IDA in adults [69 ] recommends that, before the SB evaluation is planned, an empirical iron replacement
trial (IRT), should be performed with appropriate dosage and duration. According to
the BSG guideline, endoscopic SB examination should be performed only if the target
values are not reached in the initial IRT or if anemia recurs at the end of treatment.
However, no clinical trials have compared the clinically relevant outcomes (e. g.,
diagnostic yield and possible diagnostic delay) in patients referred for SB study
according to the IRT outcome. This policy may lead to different results in different
subgroups of patients. Therefore, the available evidence appears insufficient to recommend
using the IRT as a decision-making tool in deciding to perform an SB study.
Considering multiple clinical issues, a comprehensive overall assessment should always
be performed when planning SBCE. Several studies pursued the aim of identifying such
predictive factors for SB pathology. Male sex, older age, low mean corpuscular volume
(MCV), low hemoglobin values, high transfusion requirement, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) in the last 2 weeks before SBCE, and antithrombotic therapy have been
demonstrated to correlate with diagnostic yield in IDA patients [70 ]
[71 ]
[72 ]
[73 ]
[74 ]
[75 ]. Hypoalbuminemia has also been shown to increase the proportion of positive findings
at SBCE in a subgroup of celiac disease patients presenting with persistent IDA despite
a gluten-free diet (GFD) [76 ].
In recent years, new evidence has also emerged concerning the possible role of fecal
occult blood testing (FOBT), either guaiac or immunochemical, as a filter test to
select IDA patients for SBCE [77 ]
[78 ]
[79 ]. The meta-analysis by Yung et al. [80 ] found, for all positive FOBT, sensitivity 0.60 (95 %CI 0.50–0.69), specificity 0.72
(95 %CI 0.52–0.86), and diagnostic OR 3.96 (95 %CI 1.50–10.4) for SB findings. Corresponding
values for fecal immunochemical testing alone were sensitivity 0.48 (95 %CI 0.36–0.61),
specificity 0.60 (95 %CI 0.42–0.76), and diagnostic OR 1.41 (95 %CI 0.72–2.75). Nevertheless,
there is still insufficient evidence to recommend FOBT in routine practice as a screening
tool for deciding whether to perform SBCE in IDA patients. Larger studies may better
clarify its usefulness and lead to future guidance changes.
In recent years, it has also been shown that, although there are some differences
in terms of both diagnostic yield and the spectrum of findings between young and elderly
patients, age is not a discriminating factor when SB studies are performed in patients
with IDA and negative bidirectional endoscopy [74 ]. Interestingly, two studies [81 ]
[82 ] focused on the subgroup of female IDA patients and showed a lower diagnostic yield
in premenopausal women compared to post-menopausal women. Moreover, Silva et al. [82 ] found that in premenopausal women, only 1.8 % required therapeutic endoscopy, whereas
in 17.3 % of post-menopausal women, SBCE findings led to additional endoscopic treatment.
Furthermore, the rebleeding rate at 1, 3 and 5 years was 3.6 %, 10.2 %, and 10.2 %
in premenopausal women and 22.0 %, 32.3 %, and 34.2 % in post-menopausal women. These
figures might suggest a higher threshold for SBCE in premenopausal women. However,
this evidence is insufficient to make any firm recommendation.
According to previous ESGE guidelines [1 ], large studies have confirmed that SBCE is the test of choice for evaluating the
small intestine in patients with IDA, both because of its high diagnostic yield and
favorable safety profile [70 ]
[71 ]
[77 ]
[83 ]
[84 ]. In contrast, there is conflicting and inconclusive evidence about the role of second-look
endoscopy before SBCE in IDA patients [37 ]
[38 ]
[73 ]. Therefore, repetition of upper and lower endoscopies should be decided on a case-by-case
basis, considering the timing and quality of upper and lower endoscopy performed before
SBCE.
Furthermore, recent data confirm that negative SBCE provides adequate evidence of
a low risk of rebleeding. Such patients can therefore be safely managed with watchful
waiting [50 ]
[53 ]
[85 ]
[86 ]. Nevertheless, SB neoplasia and diverticula are mural-based lesions that can cause
IDA but can be missed at SBCE, and for which CTE has been shown to have higher sensitivity
[9 ]
[17 ]
[87 ]. Since the 2015 ESGE clinical guideline [1 ] there have been no recent large studies that have investigated the diagnostic yield
of DAE exclusively in IDA patients. However, performance can be similar to that reported
for patients in the SSBB setting.
Crohn’s disease
Suspected Crohn’s disease
ESGE recommends ileocolonoscopy as the first endoscopic examination for investigating
patients with suspected Crohn’s disease.
Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
ESGE recommends small-bowel capsule endoscopy in patients with suspected Crohn’s disease
and negative ileocolonoscopy findings as the initial diagnostic modality for investigating
the small bowel, in the absence of obstructive symptoms or known bowel stenosis.
Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
ESGE does not recommend routine cross-sectional small-bowel imaging or the use of
a patency capsule prior to capsule endoscopy to prevent the retention of the device
in patients with suspected Crohn’s disease.
Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
Up to 83 % of patients with CD have SB involvement at diagnosis [88 ], and in approximately 90 % of patients with SB CD, the disease involves the terminal
ileum [89 ]. Thus, ileocolonoscopy is considered to be the first-line investigation for CD and
is sufficient to establish the diagnosis in most patients [90 ]. While the addition of capsule assessment may improve specificity, the discriminatory
ability of SBCE was shown in a recent study not to be superior to ileocolonoscopy
alone as an initial investigation for CD [91 ].
Skip lesions may result in a false-negative ileocolonoscopy [92 ], and SBCE should be considered when ileoscopy is not achieved or when proximal SB
disease must be excluded.
For patients with suspected CD, two recent meta-analyses have confirmed SBCE has a
diagnostic yield for SB disease similar to that of magnetic resonance enterography
(MRE), CTE, and abdominal ultrasound, while confirming its superiority to both small-bowel
follow-through and enteroclysis [93 ]
[94 ]. Subgroup analysis of the 2017 meta-analysis of Koplov et al. [93 ] suggests that for patients with established disease, SBCE is more sensitive for
proximal (jejunal) disease compared with MRE (OR 2.79, 95 %CI 1.2–6.48; P = 0.02). Similarly, Choi et al.’s meta-analysis [94 ] found that SBCE detected more ileal disease in patients with established CD than
ileocolonoscopy (SBCE 60 % vs. ileocolonoscopy 48 %; weighted incremental yield [Iyw]
0.11, 95 %CI 0.00–0.22; P = 0.004). Two recent studies have confirmed a diagnostic advantage for SBCE in assessing
SB disease in established CD, for the entire small bowel versus MRE [95 ], and for the proximal and mid-small bowel versus MRE and CTE [96 ]. These studies support SBCE as the appropriate next investigation in patients with
suspected CD after failed ileocolonoscopy and as the most sensitive means of mapping
SB disease in patients with established CD [95 ]
[96 ].
SBCE should be seen as complementary to ileocolonoscopy in doubtful cases, to confirm
the diagnosis and simultaneously determine disease location, extent, and activity.
Even after positive ileocolonoscopy findings, SBCE can add important diagnostic information
and support a CD diagnosis.
A retrospective observational study by Freitas et al. [97 ] investigated 102 patients found to have “isolated terminal ileitis” at ileocolonoscopy,
endoscopic abnormalities proximal to the terminal ileum were found in 36.3 % of patients;
one third (35/102) were finally diagnosed with CD. Similarly, isolated ileitis on
SBCE can frequently herald an ultimate diagnosis of CD, even in patients with an initial
negative ileocolonoscopy [98 ]
[99 ].
The risk of capsule retention in patients with suspected CD, without obstructive symptoms
or known stenosis, and no history of SB resection is low and similar to that of patients
who are being investigated for SB bleeding [100 ]. A careful clinical history may be the most helpful way to determine the risk of
capsule retention in this setting.
In 2017, Rezapour et al. [16 ] published a meta-analysis showing a slightly higher SBCE retention rate even in
suspected CD than previously reported. Retention rates were 8.2 % (95 %CI 6.0 %–11.0 %)
for established CD and 3.6 % (95 %CI 1.7 %–8.6 %) for suspected CD (studies of patients
with strictures on CTE/MRE or patency capsule retention were excluded). However, there
was significant heterogeneity among the studies (I
2 = 69%).
A more recent meta-analysis by Pasha et al. [100 ] evaluated SBCE retention in patients with suspected and established CD. The retention
rate in patients with established CD was 4.63 % (95 %CI 3.42 %–6.25 %; 32 studies)
and in patients with suspected CD it was 2.35 % (95 %CI 1.31 %–4.19 %; 16 studies).
Patients with established CD were 3.5 times more likely to experience retention than
those with suspected CD (95 %CI 2.12–5.78; 16 studies).
Several additional observational studies have also reported a low risk of capsule
retention in patients with suspected CD [91 ]
[101 ]
[102 ]
[103 ]. These studies have also shown that the use of either cross-sectional imaging [101 ]
[102 ] or patency capsule tests [102 ] in high risk patients with suspected CD (suspected stricture) can avoid capsule
retention.
ESGE recommends that dedicated small-bowel cross-sectional imaging modalities be used
first in patients with suspected Crohn’s disease and obstructive symptoms or known
bowel stenosis.
Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
ESGE recommends the use of a patency capsule prior to small-bowel capsule endoscopy
in patients with suspected Crohn’s disease and obstructive symptoms.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
If patients with suspected CD present with obstructive symptoms or known stenosis,
dedicated SB cross-sectional imaging in the form of CTE or MRE (which may also provide
an additional evaluation of mural and extramural disease) should be the investigation
of choice.
Recent studies have shown a high incidence of SB strictures in patients with newly
diagnosed CD, particularly in those with isolated SB rather than ileocolonic disease
(OR 3.04, P = 0.02 [104 ]; and 20.5 % vs. 9.4 %, P = 0.002 [105 ]). The efficacy of MRE to detect SB stenosis has been confirmed in a meta-analysis
[106 ] and a comparative observational study with enteroscopy [107 ], reporting sensitivities of 65 % and 61 % and specificities of 93 % and 93 %, respectively.
Moreover, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with clinical assessment can accurately
predict complications (fistulas in 98 % and intra-abdominal abscesses in 99 %) [108 ].
The retrospective study by Al-Bawardy et al. [109 ] revealed that patients with SBCE retention were more likely to have, as identified
on pre-SBCE CTE, strictures (63 % vs. 23 %), partial SB obstruction (63 % vs. 38 %),
or SB anastomosis (88 % vs. 23 %), as compared with patients who had passed the capsule.
SBCE may still be applied in this setting if the use of a patency capsule confirms
the functional patency of the small bowel. Dedicated SB cross-sectional imaging can
overestimate or have low specificity and low positive predictive value (PPV) for the
presence of stenosis [110 ]
[111 ]. Therefore, use of a patency capsule is recommended even in cases of negative findings
from cross-sectional modalities in those with suspected CD and obstructive symptoms.
A study in 2016 by Rondonotti et al. [110 ] supports this assertion, with capsule retention occurring in their at-risk cohort
with negative CTE findings prior to SBCE. Rozendorn et al. [111 ] evaluated the ability of MRE to predict retention; because of the low specificity
(59 %) and low PPV (40 %) of MRE for prediction of retention, the authors also recommended
patency capsule use prior to SBCE in at-risk patients, regardless of MRE findings.
The corollary is also true; in 2008, Herrerias et al. [112 ] evaluated 106 patients with stenosis seen on small-bowel follow-through or CT, who
were subsequently also given a patency capsule. The patency capsule confirmed functional
patency in 59 patients (56 %). These patients later underwent SBCE safely, with no
cases of capsule retention. González-Suárez et al. reported similar overestimation
of stenosis for MRE [95 ].
It is also important to note that a few case series have reported patency capsule
retention in patients with suspected CD [113 ]
[114 ]. In all patients with findings of wall thickening or stenosis, CT was performed
before patency capsule use. Patency capsule retention may cause transient obstructive
symptoms, which usually resolve spontaneously, albeit resultant SB perforation has
been reported [114 ]
[115 ].
ESGE recommends careful patient selection (using clinical history and serological/fecal
inflammatory markers) prior to small-bowel capsule endoscopy to improve the diagnostic
accuracy for lesions consistent with active small-bowel Crohn’s disease.
Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
SBCE is indicated for investigating patients with suspected CD, nondiagnostic terminal
ileitis, or inflammatory bowel disease, type unclassified (IBD-U) [116 ]. Symptoms alone are a poor predictor of CD. The International Conference on Capsule
Endoscopy (ICCE) [117 ] recommended a broader definition of suspected CD that includes inflammatory markers,
abnormal imaging, and/or extraintestinal manifestations [118 ]
[119 ]. It has also been demonstrated that ICCE criteria can be used as an effective selection
tool for SBCE since patients with fewer than two ICCE criteria are not only unlikely
to have inflammatory changes in the small bowel but also to be diagnosed with CD in
the follow-up [118 ].
Recent meta-analyses have consistently demonstrated that fecal calprotectin has significant
diagnostic accuracy for detecting SB CD [120 ]
[121 ]
[122 ]. The likelihood of a positive diagnosis is very low in patients with suspected CD
with calprotectin < 50 μg/g. A cutoff of 100 μg/g has demonstrated high sensitivity
and specificity and appears to be the optimal cutoff value to be used as a screening
tool for SB CD [118 ]
[121 ]. Moreover, in a prospective validation study, a combined diagnostic strategy based
on clinical presentation with Red Flags index score ≥ 8 and/or fecal calprotectin
> 250 ng/g showed average values (ranges) of sensitivity 100 % (29 %–100 %), specificity
72 % (55%–85 %), PPV 21 % (5 %–51 %), and NPV 100 % (88–100 %) for the diagnosis of
CD [123 ]. Evidence also shows that a combination of biomarkers can further enhance patient
selection.
A diagnostic workflow is proposed for investigation of patients with suspected CD
and nondiagnostic ileocolonoscopy ([Fig. 2 ]).
Fig. 2 Algorithm for the investigation of patients with suspected Crohn’s disease and nondiagnostic
ileocolonoscopy. ICCE, International Conference on Capsule Endoscopy
ESGE recommends discontinuation of both selective and nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs, including short-term use, as well as of low dose and/or enteric-coated aspirin
(if the patient’s condition allows), for at least 4 weeks before capsule endoscopy
since these drugs may induce small-bowel mucosal lesions that are indistinguishable
from those caused by Crohn’s disease.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
NSAIDs, including enteric-coated or low-dose aspirin, are a common cause of SB erosions
and ulcerations because of direct toxicity and systemic effects on prostaglandin metabolism.
Cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX 2)-selective agents have also been shown to cause comparable
SB damage; therefore, the current ESGE recommendations apply to both selective and
nonselective NSAIDs. Severe enteropathy, such as circumferential ulcers with stricturing
(diaphragmatic disease), has been described in approximately 2 % of patients on long-term
NSAID use [124 ]. Short-term use results in SB injury in most patients, manifesting as multiple petechiae
or red spots, erythematous patches, loss of villi, erosions, and ulcers [125 ]. After only 2 weeks of treatment, up to 71 % of patients have some evidence of drug-induced
SB lesions [124 ]
[126 ]
[127 ], and the reported prevalence in long-term low dose aspirin users is 88.5 %–100 %
[128 ]. Characteristic features of NSAID-induced injury include: (i) multiple superficial
lesions; (ii) similar distribution in the jejunum and ileum; (iii) lesions < 1 cm;
(iv) uncommon ileocecal valve involvement [129 ].
The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), histamine H2-receptor antagonists, or enteric-coated
aspirin formulations is associated with a higher risk for NSAID-induced enteropathy
[130 ]
[131 ]. Indeed, a prospective SBCE study found that PPI use (OR 2.04, 95 %CI 1.05–3.97)
and use of enteric-coated aspirin (OR 4.05, 95 %CI 1.49–11.0) were the two most important
risk factors for the presence of mucosal breaks [132 ]. Chronic acid suppression could lead to SB bacterial overgrowth, namely of enterobacteria
which contribute to the development of NSAID-induced enteropathy, while enteric-coated
aspirin formulations dissolve in the small bowel rather than the stomach or duodenum,
resulting in localized direct toxicity.
No data are available regarding the interval required for spontaneous healing of NSAID/low
dose aspirin and/or enteric-coated aspirin-induced SB mucosal lesions. However, in
the setting of suspected CD, the current recommendation to suspend NSAIDs for 4 weeks
before SBCE to allow for complete mucosal healing remains generally recommended if
the patient’s clinical condition allows. If discontinuation is clinically contraindicated,
interpretation of SBCE findings should consider that any lesion identified may have
been caused by the ongoing use of these medications.
ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy with small-bowel biopsies in patients
with noncontributory ileocolonoscopy and suspected Crohn’s disease on small-bowel
cross-sectional imaging modalities or small-bowel capsule endoscopy.
Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
As stated in the previous guideline [1 ], despite all the recent advances in endoscopic and dedicated SB cross-sectional
imaging, CD may still pose a diagnostic challenge, mainly if it is confined to the
small bowel [90 ]
[133 ]. Furthermore, it may be challenging to differentiate inflammatory SB lesions with
other etiologies, such as infection (e. g., mycobacterial disease), drugs (e. g.,
NSAIDs and olmesartan), and malignancy (e. g., lymphoma), from similar lesions caused
by CD. In such circumstances, direct endoscopic evaluation and biopsy of lesions at
DAE is helpful in ruling out other causes and/or providing corroborative evidence
of a diagnosis of SB CD [1 ]
[47 ]. Since 2015 [1 ], there has been further support for the usefulness of DAE in this context [134 ]
[135 ]. A retrospective series by Tun et al. (n = 100) [134 ], evaluated the role of DBE in the setting of suspected CD, where a definitive diagnosis
through other modalities remained elusive. In this cohort, histopathology of biopsies
taken at DBE was helpful to support a diagnosis of CD in 23 %. In another similar
retrospective series by Holleran et al., which included 13 adult patients, single-balloon
enteroscopy (SBE) contributed to the diagnosis of CD in 39 % [135 ].
Established Crohn’s disease
ESGE recommends, in patients with established Crohn’s disease based on ileocolonoscopy
findings, dedicated cross-sectional imaging for small-bowel evaluation since this
has the potential to assess the extent and location of any Crohn’s disease lesions,
to identify strictures, and to assess for extraluminal disease.
Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
ESGE recommends, in patients with unremarkable or nondiagnostic findings from dedicated
small-bowel cross-sectional imaging, small-bowel capsule endoscopy as a subsequent
investigation if deemed likely to influence patient management.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
ESGE suggests that small-bowel capsule endoscopy may be useful for assessment of Crohn’s
disease extent and for monitoring and guiding the “treat-to-target” strategy.
Weak recommendation, low quality evidence.
The present ESGE guideline confirms that, in the setting of established CD, when SB
evaluation is indicated, SB cross-sectional imaging with CTE or MRE generally takes
precedence over SBCE since these modalities can assess the transmural and extraluminal
nature of the disease and its anatomical distribution [1 ]
[136 ]. However, as discussed previously, there is growing evidence from published meta-analyses
and observational studies to show that SBCE is more sensitive than cross-sectional
imaging for mucosal disease throughout the small bowel in patients with established
as well as suspected CD [93 ]
[94 ]
[95 ]
[96 ]. SBCE has been shown to be a complementary test, increasing the identification of
more diffuse SB disease even in patients with a positive ileocolonoscopy.
Recent studies have evaluated the potential benefit of a panenteric capsule endoscopy
for further evaluation of patients with CD. A study by Bruining et al. [137 ] compared panenteric capsule endoscopy with MRE and ileocolonoscopy. The overall
sensitivities for active enteric inflammation (panenteric capsule endoscopy vs. MRE
and/or ileocolonoscopy) were 94 % vs. 100 % (P = 0.125) and the specificities were 74 % vs. 22 %, respectively (P = 0.001). The sensitivity of panenteric capsule endoscopy was superior to that of MRE
within the proximal small bowel (97 % vs. 71 %, P = 0.021), and similar to that of MRE and/or ileocolonoscopy within the terminal ileum
and colon (P = 0.500–0.625). The study by Tai et al. [102 ] showed that the use of panenteric capsule endoscopy resulted in management change
in 46.5 % of cases. Overall, the presence of active inflammatory findings resulted
in a change in medical management in 64.6 % of patients with established CD. Proximal
SB findings led to an upstaging of disease in 19.7 % and predicted escalation of therapy
(OR 40.3). Similarly, in a prospective comparative study of panenteric capsule endoscopy
and ileocolonoscopy by Leighton et al. [138 ] in patients with active CD, panenteric capsule endoscopy was shown to have a higher
lesion detection rate in all SB segments including the terminal ileum.
Despite recommendation by new guidelines that all patients newly diagnosed with CD
undergo SB assessment by ultrasound, MRE, and/or SBCE [90 ], it is still not clear whether these techniques are alternative or complementary.
Evidence is scarce, but Greener et al. [139 ] compared the changes in disease extent and localization after performing MRE, SBCE,
and both modalities. The investigators demonstrated that previously unrecognized disease
locations were detected with SBCE and MRE in 51 % and 25 %, respectively (P < 0.01) and by both modalities combined in 44 patients (55 %). Using both modalities
together may alter the original Montreal classification in 64 % of patients [139 ].
For patients with established CD, the use of SBCE and panenteric capsule endoscopy
may lead to changes in management in 50 %–60 % of patients [102 ]
[140 ], as they allow assessment of mucosal healing [141 ]. Indeed, in a meta-analysis by Niv [142 ], mucosal healing detection by capsule was shown to be a good predictor of long-term
clinical remission.
Although the Lewis score and the Capsule Endoscopy Crohn’s Disease Activity Index
(CECDAI) have shown good correlation with each other [142 ]
[143 ], there seems to be poor correlation between capsule activity index scores and clinical
and laboratory parameters. The study by Kopylov et al. [144 ] emphasizes that SBCE may detect mucosal inflammation even in patients in clinical
and biomarker remission. Furthermore, a Lewis score of ≥ 270 has been identified as
a predictor of disease-related hospitalization [145 ], and a baseline Lewis score of ≥ 350 predicts long-term disease flare-ups [146 ].
The 2015 ESGE guideline recommended using SBCE to assess postoperative recurrence
if colonoscopy is contraindicated or unsuccessful [1 ]. Since then, however, new evidence and a meta-analysis have emerged. Recent studies
are consistently showing that in this setting, SBCE has a higher sensitivity for lesion
detection, when compared with MRE and ultrasound [147 ]
[148 ], even before symptoms appear [149 ], and may effectively drive further patient management [147 ]
[149 ].
Conversely, since the 2015 guideline [1 ], only scant data regarding the role of SBCE in IBD-U have been published. Monteiro
et al. [116 ] published a multicenter retrospective study of 36 patients with IBD-U, and analyzed
inflammatory activity with SBCE using the Lewis score. In this study, 25 % of patients
were then diagnosed with CD (Lewis score ≥ 135), 44 % of patients with ulcerative
colitis (UC), and 27 % continued to have a diagnosis of IBD-U, supporting the potential
role of SBCE in reclassifying some cases of IBD-U.
ESGE recommends the use of activity scores (such as the Lewis score and the Capsule
Endoscopy Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CECDAI)) to facilitate prospective small-bowel
capsule endoscopy follow-up of patients for longitudinal assessment of small-bowel
Crohn’s disease and its response to medical therapy (using mucosal healing as an endpoint).
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
The invention of capsule endoscopy introduced the need for quantitative metrics to
assess mucosal inflammation. Furthermore, as treatment targets focus on mucosal healing,
this has become even more essential. Several quantitative inflammatory scores for
capsule endoscopy have been developed over the years [1 ]
[141 ]
[142 ]
[143 ]. Regarding SBCE reporting, along with the Lewis score and CECDAI, a new activity
index, the Eliakim score combining evaluation of SB and colonic findings, has been
proposed. When panenteric capsule endoscopy is used to allow for an integrated assessment
of the small bowel and the colon, the Eliakim score has shown a good correlation with
the Lewis score [150 ].
ESGE recommends, in patients with established Crohn’s disease, the use of a patency
capsule before small-bowel capsule endoscopy to decrease the capsule retention rate.
Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
The patency capsule is a noninvasive and safe device developed to confirm functional
patency of the intestinal lumen in patients with suspected stenosis, to avoid SB capsule
endoscope retention. If the patency capsule is egested intact, retention of an actual
capsule is unlikely. When the patency capsule is not egested within 30 hours, cross-sectional
imaging is favored over abdominal radiography to confirm its exact location [151 ]. Silva et al. [152 ] observed that using the radiofrequency identification tag scanner, part of the patency
capsule equipment, is also not helpful and may be avoided.
Given the higher risk of capsule retention in established CD, several strategies have
been evaluated to identify patients with reduced functional patency. Nemeth et al.
[153 ] evaluated capsule retention in two groups of patients who underwent a previous patency
test: (i) a preselected group of patients with obstructive symptoms or previous abdominal
surgery; and (ii) a group with nonselective patency capsule administration. No difference
in capsule retention rates was observed (1.3 % vs. 1.6 %, P = 0.9). However, capsule endoscopy after a positive patency test was associated with
a high retention risk (11.1 %).
A large (n = 3117) multicenter, prospective, observational study by Rondonotti et
al. [110 ] evaluated capsule retention rates in low risk and high risk patients. Patients were
considered high risk (n = 175) if they met one of the following criteria: recurrent
abdominal pain, previous SB surgery, chronic NSAID use, SB stenosis detected in imaging
techniques, prior abdominal radiation therapy, or refractory celiac disease. Of these
175 high risk patients, 24 underwent CTE or MRE before SBCE and the remaining 151
were given a patency capsule instead. In high risk patients, the subsequent capsule
retention rate was 0.7 % (1/151) for the patency capsule subgroup and 8.3 % (2/24)
for the cross-sectional imaging subgroup. The authors concluded that in high risk
patients, a patency capsule is still required, regardless of radiological findings.
Dedicated SB cross-sectional imaging, although helpful, can underestimate or overestimate
the presence/degree of any stricturing.
ESGE recommends initial conservative treatment in the case of capsule retention.
Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy if medical therapy has not achieved spontaneous
capsule passage.
Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
Capsule retention is the main adverse event of SBCE. As stated in the previous guideline
[1 ], the recommendation is that asymptomatic patients should be managed conservatively/medically
in the first instance, with DAE retrieval reserved for cases of persistent retention.
Large series published since 2015 [1 ] have confirmed the validity of this recommended strategy. A multicenter retrospective
study by Fernández-Urién et al. (n = 5428; different indications for SBCE) [154 ] showed an overall retention rate of 1.8 %; > 50 % of retained capsules passed with
conservative management (37 % spontaneously; 20 % with concomitant medical therapy).
Nemeth et al., 2 years later also demonstrated a favorable outcome with this strategy:
medical management resulted in the passage of 24 % of retained capsules, while endoscopic
retrieval was required in 44% [155 ]. This recommendation was also supported by the findings of another large retrospective
series (n = 5348; all indications) [156 ] and a retrospective study focused on patients with established CD, which also reported
a high rate (70.5 %) of passage of retained capsules with conservative measures [157 ].
The evidence to support specific medical management regimens remains scant, albeit
most series reported on the use of glucocorticoids for capsule retention in the context
of CD [154 ]
[155 ]
[157 ], with immunomodulators also used as an alternative [157 ]. Published egestion rates with medical management range from 10 % to 70 % [155 ]
[156 ]
[157 ], being higher in patients with established CD. In a multivariate analysis published
by Lee et al. [158 ], the presence of abdominal symptoms after capsule retention was an independent predictive
factor for a surgical outcome (OR 18.56, 95 %CI 1.87–183.82; P = 0.013).
Endoscopic retrieval has been a safe alternative in asymptomatic patients or in those
with slight symptoms. Recently, a systematic review of 12 studies (n = 150) regarding
the use of DBE for retrieval of retained capsules [159 ], demonstrated a pooled retrieval success rate of 86.5 % (95 %CI 75.6 %–95.1 %).
Factors associated with higher success were the antegrade approach (74.7 % vs. 26.3 %;
P < 0.001) and the presence of malignant strictures (100.0 % vs. 78.3 %; P = 0.043) [159 ].
ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy if small-bowel endotherapy is indicated
(including dilation of Crohn’s disease small-bowel strictures, retrieval of a retained
capsule, and/or treatment of small-bowel bleeding).
Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
Since the publication of the 2015 ESGE guideline [1 ] the evidence favoring the effectiveness and safety of DAE-facilitated endoscopic
balloon dilation (EBD) of CD SB strictures has strengthened. This is best summarized
in a recent meta-analysis by Bettenworth et al. [160 ], which evaluated 18 studies including a total of 463 patients and 1189 endoscopic
balloon dilations. The pooled per-study analysis demonstrated that the technical success
of endoscopic balloon dilation was 95 % (95 %CI 86.7 %–98.1 %; 13/18 studies), with
clinical efficacy in 82.3 % of patients (95 %CI 68.1 %–91 %; 9/18 studies) in the
short term. The major complication rate (including bleeding, perforation, and emergency
surgery) was 5.3 % (95 %CI 3.5 %–8.1 %; 14/18 studies). Longer-term outcomes (as reflected
by 20.5 months of follow-up) showed that symptomatic recurrence had occurred in 48.3 %
of patients (95 %CI 33.2 %–63.7 %; 11/18 studies). Nonetheless, this was managed by
repeat endoscopic balloon dilation in 38.8 % of patients (95 %CI 27 %–52 %); 16/18
studies); recourse to surgery was required in 27.4 % (95 %CI 21.9 %–33.8%; 15/18 studies).
This meta-analysis [160 ] further interrogated detailed data from four of the included high volume centers
(218 patients; 384 dilations) to identify potential risk factors associated with outcomes.
On per-patient-based multivariable analysis, active SB disease was associated with
reduced short-term clinical efficacy (OR 0.32, 95 %CI 0.14–0.73; P = 0.007). Furthermore, concomitant active disease of the small and/or large bowel increased
the risk for surgery (hazard ratio [HR] 1.85, 95 %CI 1.09–3.13; P = 0.02; and HR 1.77, 95 %CI 1.34–2.34; P < 0.001]. Conversely, ongoing anti-TNF-alpha treatment at the time of dilation correlated
with reduced re-intervention (HR 0.78, 95 %CI 0.63–0.96; P = 0.019).
Based on the current evidence, an algorithm for the endoscopic management of SB strictures
is suggested in [Fig. 3 ]
[161 ]
[162 ].
Fig. 3 Algorithm for the endoscopic management of benign small-bowel strictures (modified
from [161 ]
[162 ] with permission). * Consider surgery as a possible alternative to endoscopic balloon
dilation, depending on location/presence of prestenotic dilatation/angulation and
local set-up.
Inherited polyposis syndromes
Inherited polyposis syndromes
Familial adenomatous polyposis
ESGE recommends surveillance of the proximal small bowel in familial adenomatous polyposis,
using conventional forward-viewing and side-viewing endoscopes.
Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
ESGE does not recommend small-bowel capsule endoscopy for surveillance of the proximal
small bowel in familial adenomatous polyposis.
Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
ESGE suggests that small-bowel capsule endoscopy and/or cross-sectional imaging techniques
may be considered when investigation of the mid–distal small bowel is clinically indicated
in familial adenomatous polyposis.
Weak recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
The recent literature does not suggest an increased risk of distal (namely, beyond
the proximal jejunum that is accessible at standard upper endoscopy) SB cancer in
familial adenomatous polyposis [163 ]
[164 ]
[165 ]. This is concordant with the ESGE 2019 [166 ] and the ASGE 2020 [167 ] recommendations. Since SBCE may miss polyps in the proximal small bowel, it does
not appear suitable for surveillance at this level [168 ]. If SBCE is justified in selected patients (anemia, major duodenojejunal burden
of adenomas), prior patency examination or abdominal imaging is suggested in some
studies [165 ]
[167 ]. In a therapeutic context, the ASGE recommendations consider the use of DAE, bearing
in mind that that neither SBCE nor DAE studies report the presence of advanced adenomas
deeper than the proximal jejunum [163 ]
[165 ]
[167 ].
In conclusion, endoscopy using a long axial endoscope and a lateral-viewing endoscope
remains the gold standard of SB examination in familial adenomatous polyposis patients
in 2022.
Peutz–Jeghers syndrome
ESGE recommends, for small-bowel surveillance in patients with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome,
small-bowel capsule endoscopy and/or magnetic resonance enterography, depending on
local availability and expertise and/or patient preference.
Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
Most polyps are localized within the small bowel in patients with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome
(PJS). Patients have a significant risk of non-neoplastic complications (intussusception,
bleeding, anemia) as well as an increased risk of malignancies (intestinal and extraintestinal)
[169 ]. SB surveillance in PJS aims to prevent polyp-related complications (by reduction
of the polyp burden) and to detect early premalignant or malignant changes with advancing
patient age.
Guidelines from ESGE and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology
and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) recommend starting SB surveillance no later than 8 years of
age (and earlier in patients with symptoms or complications) [166 ]
[170 ]. Based on the number and size of SB polyps, a 1–3-yearly surveillance interval is
recommended [166 ]. Cancer risk is significantly increased in PJS [171 ]. However, the potential for malignant transformation of the SB hamartomas remains
unknown.
SB surveillance should be a part of the complex multiorgan screening program for patients
with PJS [169 ]. SBCE is superior at detecting SB polyps in comparison with small-bowel follow-through
and standard CT scans [168 ]
[172 ]. The direct comparison of MRE and SBCE shows at least equivalent sensitivity of
both methods in detection of SB hamartomas; there is some risk of missing clinically
relevant polyps with both techniques [173 ]
[174 ]. Some data suggest better localization of polyps and more accurate size estimation
with MRE [173 ]
[174 ], but SBCE superiority for detection of small polyps (< 15 mm) [174 ]. A meta-analysis of 15 comparative studies (821 patients) of DAE and SBCE confirmed
high concordance (93 %) in the identification of SB polyps and tumors [172 ]. In a retrospective multicenter study, 25 patients underwent SBCE followed by DBE
when treatment was indicated. Authors found a strong agreement for polyp location
and size but not for the number of polyps; DAE was more accurate for the latter [175 ]. Two small studies reported high concordance of MRE with DBE, laparoscopic enteroscopy,
or surgery (93 %). They also showed comparable diagnostic yields from MRE and DBE
for SB polyps > 15 mm [176 ]
[177 ].
In summary, MRE, SBCE, and DAE are complementary methods with similar diagnostic yields
and a similar risk of missed lesions. The limited data do not allow preference for
any one of the methods. Thus, both noninvasive techniques (SBCE or MRE) can be recommended
for SB surveillance in patients with PJS, based on local availability and experience.
A patient history of SB resection (and therefore a risk of intra-abdominal adhesions)
may mean a higher risk of SBCE retention, especially in patients with obstructive
symptoms [178 ]. The routine use of the patency capsule [179 ] is not recommended in PJS and should be considered only on a case-by-case basis.
ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy with polypectomy when large polyps ( > 15 mm)
or symptomatic polyps are discovered by radiological examination or small-bowel capsule
endoscopy in patients with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome.
Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
An SB polyps size > 15 mm is the most important risk factor for SB intussusception,
which can lead to intestinal obstruction and acute abdomen [180 ]
[181 ]. On the other hand, in children (because of the smaller intestinal diameter), even
polyps smaller than 15 mm may represent a risk, and polyps may result in other complications
such as chronic bleeding with IDA [181 ]. Consequently, large (> 15 mm), symptomatic, or rapidly growing polyps should be
promptly removed.
Both in adults and children, DAE is clinically useful for diagnosis and relatively
safe for therapy of SB polyps [180 ]
[182 ]
[183 ]
[184 ]. In a study of 50 enteroscopies using the antegrade (84 %) and retrograde (16 %)
approach, the therapeutic interventions resulted in complete clearance of polyps > 10 mm
in 76 % of patients [184 ]. However, considering the safety profile of DAE polypectomy (complication rate in
PJS patients: 4 %–6 % [183 ]
[184 ]
[185 ]), enteroscopy should be used only as a targeted approach after previous noninvasive
SB examination (using SBCE or MRE).
Motorized spiral enteroscopy has only recently been used in patients with PJS [186 ]. The published data on this technique are promising but insufficient for a final
recommendation for patients with PJS.
Various technical improvements, including underwater resection [187 ] and ischemic polypectomy using polyp strangulation with endoclips and/or detachable
snare (possibly also with an underwater approach), have been reported [188 ]
[189 ]. They could represent a safer and faster alternative to conventional polypectomy;
however, their benefits need future verification. In some clinical situations (high
polyp burden and incomplete polyp clearance during previous DAE), the direct indication
for the next DAE (without repeated SBCE or MRE) can be considered in an individualized
time frame. A gradual decline in polyp size, numbers, and complication rate can be
expected in the course of surveillance and repeated DAE polypectomies [182 ]
[185 ]
[190 ]
[191 ].
When a polyp is too large for safe removal with DAE or cannot be reached using this
modality (because of adhesions), intraoperative enteroscopy as a complementary technique
could be considered for SB evaluation and polypectomy [183 ]
[184 ]. Combined treatment of SB hamartomas with device-assisted and intraoperative enteroscopy
significantly increases clearance success by 16 % [184 ]. This approach may reduce the need for future surgery and SB resection in PJS patients.
Juvenile polyposis
ESGE recommends that routine evaluation of the small bowel in juvenile polyposis patients
should be limited to the duodenum and based on flexible forward-viewing endoscopy.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
Involvement of the small bowel in juvenile polyposis seems infrequent and mainly limited
to the duodenum in patients harboring a SMAD4 mutation [192 ]
[193 ]. No case of SB cancer has been reported at this time in the well-characterized juvenile
polyposis family. The ESGE 2019 consensus and the recent pediatric consensus on genetic
syndromes do not recommend using SBCE or DAE in juvenile polyposis syndrome [166 ]
[194 ].
In conclusion, there is no evidence of the usefulness of capsule endoscopy and no
published case of histologically proven juvenile polyposis in the distal small bowel
in these patients. According to ESGE and ESPGHAN recommendations, duodenoscopy appears
sufficient, specifically in SMAD4 mutation carriers, because of the frequency of duodenal
polyps.
Small-bowel tumors
ESGE recommends the use of small-bowel capsule endoscopy in patients where there is
an increased risk of a small-bowel tumor.
Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
Most SBTs are detected during work-up for SSBB or unexplained IDA but are the cause
in only about 3.5 %–5 % of these patients, making these symptoms weak predictors.
Some subsets of patients have an increased risk of SBT, such as those with liver metastases
of previously undiagnosed primary neuroendocrine tumor, stage IV malignant melanoma,
or stage III malignant melanoma with positive FOBT, or with nonresponsive/complicated
celiac disease (see Celiac disease section) [19 ]. In contrast, recent data do not suggest a significant yield for SBT or polyps in
patients with sporadic duodenal adenomas [195 ], long-standing SB CD [196 ], or asymptomatic Lynch syndrome [197 ]
[198 ]. The risk for underlying SBT does not seem to be higher in patients with recurring
or ongoing bleeding than in patients with the first bleeding episode [199 ].
Because of the rarity of SBTs, prospective studies are lacking, and data are primarily
retrospective from SSBB and IDA studies. In this setting, SBCE has exhibited good
diagnostic performance for identifying SBTs [74 ]
[200 ]. Although Johnston et al. have reported more frequent detection of SB malignancy
at SBCE in younger patients (< 55 years) [201 ], most studies did not reveal any significant differences in the incidence of SBTs
depending on the age of the patients, albeit there were variations in the definition
of the younger versus older age groups [202 ]
[203 ]
[204 ]. The diagnostic yields of double-balloon enteroscopy for SBTs in the SSBB setting
were also similar between patients < 65 years old and elderly patients (> 65 years),
except for cases of incomplete SB obstruction where a higher rate of adenocarcinoma
was identified in the elderly group (19.4 % vs. 7.1 %, P = 0.038) [205 ].
In an RCT in the setting of SSBB, SBCE had a higher diagnostic yield for SBTs and
polyps than push enteroscopy [206 ]. Compared to DAE in SSBB, SBCE had detection rates similar to single-balloon enteroscopy
for SBTs [207 ]
[208 ]. Also double-balloon enteroscopy and SBCE had comparable diagnostic yields for SBTs
[209 ]
[210 ], even in a context of SB re-examination, where double-balloon enteroscopy was compared
to repeat SBCE for SSBB [56 ]. Nevertheless, the concordance between SBCE and single-balloon enteroscopy was not
significant regarding SB masses [211 ], and the agreement between SBCE and double-balloon enteroscopy was lower for SBTs
than for other SB pathology in the setting of SSBB [212 ]
[213 ]. Suspected SB neoplasia was related to increased diagnostic and therapeutic yield
for both single- and double-balloon enteroscopy. Although previous SB investigations,
including SBCE and/or imaging studies, improved the diagnostic yield of enteroscopy,
this was not statistically significant [214 ].
On the other hand, the risk of false-negative SBCE results has been documented for
SBTs, especially for lesions located in the proximal SB [168 ] or subepithelial tumors with minimal endoluminal components, such as GI stromal
tumors (GISTs) [215 ] and neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) [216 ]. Therefore, in the case of a negative SBCE, albeit with a strong suspicion of an
SBT, further dedicated SB cross-sectional imaging should be performed for confirmation.
Regarding imaging studies, CTE was accurate in raising the suspicion of SBTs [18 ], primarily when performed for SSBB [217 ]. CT angiography had a higher diagnostic yield for bleeding SBTs than for SB bleeding
of nontumoral origin [218 ]. In a retrospective comparison of CTE and MRE, all cases of SBTs were accurately
diagnosed by both modalities [219 ]. Conversely, in a prospective study comparing SBCE and CTE in the context of SSBB,
the sensitivity of SBCE for SBTs was 66.67 % compared to 100 % for CTE [87 ]. In a retrospective study comparing double-balloon enteroscopy with SBCE and imaging
modalities (CTE and MRE) for detecting SBTs, double-balloon enteroscopy was superior
to all methods in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and negative predictive
value (NPV). Only CTE exhibited slightly higher PPV than double-balloon enteroscopy
(93.5% vs. 90.0 %) with comparable specificity, whereas MRE was outperformed in every
aspect [220 ]. In another retrospective study comparing SBCE, double-balloon enteroscopy, and
CTE for SSBB, all three approaches were comparable, complementing each other in detecting
SBTs [221 ]. Thus, a combination of SBCE, dedicated cross-sectional SB imaging (e. g., CTE)
and DAE may be required in the setting of suspected SBT since all three modalities
are complementary to each other and provide supplementary information to establish
the diagnosis of an SBT.
ESGE does not recommend, in the setting of suspected small-bowel tumor, specific investigations
before small-bowel capsule endoscopy unless patients are considered to be at risk
of capsule retention.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
ESGE recommends consideration of device-assisted enteroscopy in preference to small-bowel
capsule endoscopy if imaging tests have already demonstrated suspected small-bowel
tumor.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
The ESGE Technical Review on SBCE and DAE recommends that no specific investigations
be routinely performed on every patient referred for SBCE unless they are considered
at risk for capsule retention. Careful assessment of symptoms such as abdominal pain/distension,
nausea/vomiting, a history of previous SB resection, abdominal/pelvic radiation, or
chronic use of NSAIDs may be used to distinguish patients at a higher risk of capsule
retention [47 ]. Ultrasound could be a noninvasive initial diagnostic option in these patients,
as a sensitivity of > 90 % for SBTs > 2 cm has been reported [222 ].
The capsule retention rate in the case of SBTs varies among studies [201 ]
[203 ]; nevertheless, in a meta-analysis, the capsule retention rate was 2.1 % for patients
with SSBB, representing the most common indication for SB investigations in patients
with SBTs [16 ]. In the setting of suspected SBT in imaging studies, DAE should be preferred over
SBCE to avoid capsule retention and acquire biopsies for histological diagnosis [1 ]. Furthermore, in the case of capsule retention, surgery remains the mainstay of
treatment when neoplastic disease is unequivocally suggested, allowing both capsule
retrieval and tumor resection [47 ]. If the nature of the SB lesion cannot be determined with certainty, then DAE can
be an alternative for capsule retrieval and tissue sampling and/or endoscopic resection
if deemed feasible in the case of benign tumors [159 ]
[223 ].
ESGE recommends cross-sectional imaging for staging and ascertaining operability when
there is a small-bowel capsule endoscopy finding of a small-bowel tumor with high
diagnostic certainty.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
ESGE recommends, when there is an uncertain diagnosis of small-bowel tumor at capsule
endoscopy, biopsy sampling and tattooing of its location by device-assisted enteroscopy.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
ESGE recommends, when a subepithelial mass is detected by small-bowel capsule endoscopy,
confirmation of the diagnosis by device-assisted enteroscopy and/or cross-sectional
imaging, depending on local availability and expertise.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
When SBCE findings strongly suggest an SBT (stenotic or protruding, ulcerated, bleeding
mass lesion), direct surgical referral without preoperative histological diagnosis
would be justifiable. In these cases, preoperative cross-sectional imaging is mandatory
to provide further information on disease extent and resectability. If the underlying
etiology of the tumor is uncertain (e. g., adenocarcinoma vs. lymphoma), tissue sampling
through DAE is indicated to establish a histopathological diagnosis that may guide
the course of subsequent management. When subepithelial protrusions or bulges of uncertain
nature are identified on SBCE, further investigations (DAE or/and dedicated SB cross-sectional
imaging) are warranted to avoid a false-positive diagnosis of subepithelial lesions
such as GISTs or NENs. It should be noted that the prominent extraluminal component
of GISTs may challenge endoscopic diagnosis, not only with SBCE but with DAE too.
The effectiveness of histological confirmation by DAE in this setting has a wide range
(46 %–88 %) [223 ]
[224 ]
[225 ]. Placement of a tattoo during DAE is mandatory to facilitate recognition of an SB
mass lesion at subsequent (laparoscopic) surgery [1 ].
Regarding SB subepithelial lesions, CTE was shown to be superior to abdominopelvic
CT for identifying SB GISTs [215 ] and SB NENs [226 ]. MRE has exhibited high degrees of sensitivity for the diagnosis of NENs > 10 mm
(94 %), but for lesions < 10 mm, sensitivity was only 45 % [227 ]. In a retrospective study assessing imaging techniques and double-balloon enteroscopy
for the management of SB NENs, double-balloon enteroscopy was significantly better
at identifying the primary tumor than CT, MRI, or somatostatin receptor imaging, as
well as for detection of multifocal lesions when compared to CT and somatostatin receptor
imaging but not compared to MRI [228 ]. Double-balloon endoscopy also detected additional lesions in 62.2 % of patients
who underwent an evaluation to exclude multifocal disease in the setting of SB NENs
[216 ].
ESGE does not recommend small-bowel capsule endoscopy in the follow-up of treated
small-bowel tumors, because of lack of data.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
In patients with treated follicular lymphoma, Nakamura et al. found that SBCE detected
lesions at a similar rate to double-balloon endoscopy; however, identifying residual
lymphoma required biopsy, and the authors recommend DBE for follow-up [229 ]. Only 1 of 11 patients with an SBCE diagnosis of malignant SBT who underwent surgery
had recurrent bleeding; in this patient, it was caused by metastasis of gastric and
papillary cancer in familial adenomatous polyposis [230 ]. After complete resection of SB GIST in 32 patients, no intraluminal recurrence
was seen during a median follow-up of 30 months (range 3–54 months) [225 ].
There are no studies that support regular follow-up of asymptomatic patients after
resection of SBT in the absence of inherited polyposis syndromes.
Similarly, SBCE seems to have a very limited role in staging SBTs diagnosed with other
techniques. SBCE and enteroscopy can help define the extent of GI non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,
although they do not change the stage of follicular lymphoma [231 ]. Similarly, the number of detected NENs in the small bowel could be increased without
demonstrating an impact of multifocality on outcomes [216 ].
ESGE suggests considering enteroscopic placement of self-expanding metal stents in
the palliation of malignant small-bowel strictures as an alternative option to surgery.
Weak recommendation, low quality evidence.
A summary of published reports on self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) placement by
endoscopy (n = 69) in malignant SB strictures found the method to be safe and effective
[232 ]. Recent small series confirmed this result. Clinical improvement was observed following
SEMS placement but not with medical treatment [233 ]. DAE can also be applied for ink marking of malignant SB strictures for palliative
surgery [234 ].
Celiac disease
ESGE does not recommend small-bowel capsule endoscopy to diagnose celiac disease.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
In studies assessing the utility/efficacy of SBCE in diagnosing celiac disease (i. e.,
ability to detect histologically proven villous atrophy), the sensitivity, specificity,
PPV, and NPV of SBCE were 70 %–100 %, 64 %–100 %, 96 %–100 % and 71 %–93 %, respectively
[235 ]
[236 ]
[237 ]
[238 ]
[239 ]. All these studies consistently show that, in the presence of antiendomysial antibody
(EmA) or significantly elevated antitransglutaminase antibody (tTG), the PPV and specificity
for recognizing endoscopic markers of celiac disease are 100 %. However, the high
pre-test probability of celiac disease in all of these studies may be a potential
limitation leading to an overestimation of SBCE performance. A later meta-analysis
confirms the previous findings [240 ], and an RCT has demonstrated that frontal and lateral view capsules are equivalent
in detecting villous atrophy [241 ]. From a clinical point of view, new data suggest that when upper endoscopy is impossible,
a diagnostic pathway similar to the pediatric sequence, based upon serology, could
also be applied in adults [242 ], further limiting the potential use of SBCE in this setting.
Consequently, the actual scenario does not support the use of SBCE in this setting
(basically, patients with positive serology necessitating a histological confirmation
of the diagnosis) and probably, when necessary, the adoption of serological criteria
could avoid any endoscopic procedure to diagnose celiac disease. Although currently
unproven, the use of computerized image enhancement could modify this situation in
future [243 ].
As with the previous ESGE guideline [1 ], there is no new evidence supporting the use of SBCE to routinely map the extent
of disease. However, two recent studies from Chetcuti Zammit et al. [244 ]
[245 ] reported that the extent of villous atrophy could be efficiently verified by SBCE
and atrophy extent could correlate with clinical parameters in some specific subgroups
of patients (e. g., those with nonresponsive celiac disease, or severe bone involvement).
The first study analyzed SBCE in 300 celiac patients and demonstrated an acceptable
agreement among readers to define the severity of celiac disease [244 ]; the second analyzed a cohort of 80 celiac patients and showed that, in individuals
with a relevant percentage of small bowel involved by villous atrophy, bone mineral
density decreased significantly [245 ]; furthermore, bone mineral density did not correlate with histological severity
of atrophy, underlining the potential relevance of atrophy extent. In conclusion,
more recent studies suggest that atrophy extent could be efficiently quantified using
SBCE and that this finding could correlate with some clinical parameters. However,
because of the absence of other than gluten-free diet therapies for celiac disease,
this factor is merely descriptive, and SBCE cannot be routinely recommended for this
purpose. Nevertheless, this scenario could rapidly change in the near future once
pharmacological therapies for celiac disease become available.
ESGE recommends using small-bowel capsule endoscopy in cases of equivocal diagnosis
of celiac disease since it is essential for final diagnosis and therapy.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
Equivocal cases of celiac disease represent a clinical challenge and a clear indication
for SBCE. Two subgroups of patients can fit within the “equivocal cases” definition:
patients with positive celiac serology (i. e., positive IgA tTG and/or EmA) but normal
duodenal histology, and patients with histologically detected villous atrophy but
negative celiac serology [246 ]. In the first scenario, previous studies indicated that SBCE usually does not detect
relevant findings that change the clinical management of the patients [238 ]
[247 ]
[248 ].
In the case of seronegative villous atrophy, the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy
is higher with relevant findings at SBCE. In the study by Kurien et al. [248 ], based on SBCE appearances and other ancillary tests, several patients were diagnosed
with celiac disease and further patients were diagnosed with SB Crohn’s disease as
a cause of villous atrophy.
Two recent studies, single-center by Chetcuti-Zammit et al. [249 ] and multicenter by Luján-Sanchis et al. [250 ], demonstrated the central role of capsule endoscopy in equivocal cases. In the first
study, 177 patients were enrolled; the overall diagnostic yield was 31.6 %. Furthermore,
a positive correlation between mortality and atrophy extent was found in the 11 patients
who died during the study follow-up. This finding underlines the prognostic role of
SBCE in these cases and its relevance as a monitoring tool to assess therapeutic response.
The multicenter second study evaluated 163 patients who underwent SBCE, with an overall
diagnostic yield of 54 %; again, the diagnostic yield was higher in the case of seronegative
villous atrophy (74 %) with relevant SBCE findings and diagnoses such as Crohn’s disease
and lymphoproliferative disorders. Notably, in this previous study, SBCE revealed
a significant management impact, with 71 % of patients changing therapy after undergoing
SBCE.
ESGE recommends in nonresponsive or refractory celiac disease, small-bowel capsule
endoscopy followed by device-assisted enteroscopy for diagnosis and disease monitoring.
Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.
Celiac disease frequently presents a benign course with an optimal prognosis; however,
up to 20 % of patients show persistent or recurrent symptoms despite 6–12 months of
following a strict gluten-free diet [246 ]
[251 ]. This “nonresponsive” form of celiac disease requires a careful diagnostic work-up
to detect the presence of preneoplastic and neoplastic complications, such as refractory
celiac disease (RCD), ulcerative jejunoileitis, enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma
(EATL), and SB adenocarcinoma. RCD is defined by malabsorption and villous atrophy
despite a correct gluten-free diet; RCD can be further subtyped into RCD type 1 (RCD-1)
and type 2 (RCD-2) depending on the presence of an aberrant T-cell type in the duodenal
mucosa, detected using cytofluorimetry. RCD-2 is less frequent but characterized by
a severe prognosis with mortality of up to 50 % in 5 years and a higher risk of neoplastic
evolution [252 ]. For these reasons, nonresponsive celiac disease and RCD-1 and RCD-2 warrant surveillance
of the small bowel and early detection of neoplastic complications.
Previously, two studies evaluating patients with nonresponsive disease identified
a few severe complications with SBCE [248 ]
[253 ]. Focusing on RCD, Barret et al. [254 ] used SBCE to investigate disease severity in 29 RCD patients; notably, after tissue
sampling with DAE, they diagnosed 3 cases of EATL and 5 cases of ulcerative jejunoileitis
requiring specific treatment in the RCD cohort. The sequential approach, SBCE followed
by DAE in the case of suspect findings, appears justified by the potentially relevant
diagnosis (EATL and ulcerative jejunoileitis) and the importance of the consequent
therapies [255 ]
[256 ].
More recently, different studies have investigated the clinical use of SBCE and DAE
in this setting, including a large number of patients in single-center and multicenter
patient cohorts [256 ]
[257 ]
[258 ]
[259 ]
[260 ]
[261 ]. Notably, all these studies confirmed a diagnostic yield of SBCE close to 50 %,
with the detection of SBTs in 3 %–10 % of cases. SBCE represents the first-line investigation,
while DAE is performed to obtain tissue samples that usually reveal an EATL or that
can be used in cytofluorimetry to diagnose or monitor RCD.
Furthermore, two studies [257 ]
[259 ] demonstrated that atrophy extent correlates with mortality more than histology does.
In 40 % of cases, SBCE findings were beyond the Treitz ligament and thus not accessible
at upper endoscopy, underlining the pivotal role of SBCE/DAE in RCD. These findings
have been strengthened by a recently published meta-analysis [262 ] demonstrating a diagnostic yield for malignancies and ulcerative jejunoileitis of
13 % in the case of SBCE and 30 % for DAE. Given the scenario described above, in
the case of nonresponsive celiac disease or RCD, upper endoscopy and SBCE are mandatory;
the first to take biopsies to perform routine histology, the second to detect other
lesions to be targeted by DAE [263 ].
Other indications
Chronic abdominal pain
ESGE does not recommend small-bowel capsule endoscopy as the first-line investigation
for patients with isolated chronic abdominal pain.
Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.
Chronic abdominal pain is usually defined as a constant or recurrent pain that lasts
3 months or more. Chronic abdominal pain without pathological findings in upper endoscopy,
colonoscopy and/or imaging techniques is a prevalent condition [264 ].
Interestingly, many case reports and case series have described diagnosis by SBCE
of significant pathologies in patients with chronic abdominal pain (e. g., Meckel’s
diverticulum [265 ], eosinophilic enteritis [266 ], and SBTs [220 ]). However, the available evidence highlights that the probability of detecting significant
findings at SBCE is very low (below 20 %) when isolated chronic abdominal pain is
the indication for SBCE. At the same time, this rises significantly when associated
with signs/symptoms or altered laboratory findings.
Shim et al. [267 ] retrospectively analyzed 110 patients with unexplained chronic abdominal pain: diagnostic
yield was 17.3%, and in multivariate analysis weight loss was a significant risk factor
for positive findings at SBCE (OR 18.6, 95 %CI 1.6–222.4; P = 0.02). Katsinelos et al. [268 ] conducted an open‐label prospective nonrandomized multicenter clinical trial. In
this study, diagnostic yield was 44.4 %, and in multivariate regression analysis positive
findings from SBCE were associated with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
(OR 67.9, 95 %CI 9.3–310.6, P < 0.001) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR 41.5, 95 %CI 6.2–213.4, P < 0.001). Huang et al. [269 ] conducted a retrospective study which included 341 patients with chronic abdominal
pain. In this study, the diagnostic yield was 28.15 %, and these features were positively
associated with SBCE diagnosis: weight loss (OR 2.827, 95 %CI 1.938–4.926; P = 0.038), hypoalbuminemia (OR 6.142, 95 %CI 4.129–8.274; P = 0.008), elevated ESR (OR 4.025, 95 %CI 3.178–6.892; P = 0.016), and increased CRP (OR 7.539, 95 %CI 5.365–11.723; P = 0.002). More recently, Kim et al. [270 ] performed a meta-analysis showing that the presence of elevated CRP (OR 14.09, 95 %CI
2.81–70.60; P = 0.001) and ESR (OR 14.45, 95 %CI 0.92–227.33; P = 0.06) significantly increased the diagnostic yield of SBCE in patients with unexplained
abdominal pain.
These data underscore how, on the one hand, the SB endoscopic evaluation plays a very
limited role in cases of isolated abdominal pain and, on the other, how relevant it
is in this subset of patients to plan a comprehensive diagnostic workup (including
laboratory tests, imaging tests, and accurate collection of clinical history), since
when abdominal pain is associated with other clinical features, SBCE may lead to establishing
a definite diagnosis.
Foreign body retrieval
ESGE recommends device-assisted enteroscopy as an alternative to surgery for foreign
bodies retained in the small bowel requiring retrieval in patients without acute intestinal
obstruction.
Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
SB foreign-body retention that needs intervention is a rare event. Most frequently
the foreign bodies involved are endoscopy capsules or other medical devices (e. g.,
migrated plastic or metallic stents). Capsule retention is defined as a capsule remaining
in the digestive tract for at least 2 weeks, and retention rates vary between 2.1 %
and 8.2 % [16 ]. Previous abdominal surgery or SB disease (e. g., stricturing CD or SBT) may contribute
to retention. A systematic review has shown that DAE is a reliable alternative to
surgery, with a retrieval rate of 74.7 % when the capsule is retained in the jejunum
and can be reached via the antegrade approach [158 ]. However, when the capsule is retained in the ileum, the retrograde approach often
necessitates endoscopic balloon dilation of the stricture before the capsule can be
reached and is, therefore, less effective, as illustrated by a retrieval rate of only
26.3 %. The serious adverse event rate is low (1.3 % SB perforation risk) and associated
with balloon dilation or neoplasia. One multicenter study reported that symptoms were
the only independent predictor of successful retrieval using DAE (OR 13.40, 95 %CI
1.10–162.56; P = 0.042) [271 ]. In addition to retrieving the retained capsule, DAE can also facilitate the diagnosis
and treatment of the underlying intestinal disease, by endoscopic biopsy, endoscopic
balloon dilation, and preoperative tattooing. However, the indication for endoscopic
or surgical intervention should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and depends on
local availability and expertise.
DAE-assisted percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) for enteral feeding
ESGE suggests that in patients requiring jejunostomy for enteral feeding, DAE-assisted
percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) is a possible alternative to surgical jejunostomy.
Weak recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) is an accepted alternative to nasojejunal
or surgical jejunal feeding in patients who require long-term post-pyloric feeding
[272 ].
DPEJ using an enteroscope has a technical success rate of up to 90 %. Technical failures
are reported mostly because of limited enteroscope advancement in patients with a
history of abdominal surgery and adhesions. DPEJ by DAE has a significant adverse
event rate of 3.5 % [273 ]
[274 ]
[275 ]
[276 ]; these include bleeding and SB perforation. DAE-assisted PEJ can represent an alternative
to surgical jejunostomy according to local availability and expertise.
DAE-ERCP in patients with altered anatomy
ESGE recommends DAE-ERCP as a first-line endoscopic approach to treat pancreaticobiliary
diseases in patients with surgically altered anatomy (except for Billroth II patients).
Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
Since the advent of DAE, multiple retrospective studies have been published on DAE-endoscopic
retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with surgically altered anatomy.
Biliary indications are more frequent than pancreatic indications. The most frequently
met surgical reconstructions are Billroth II partial gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y total
gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), Whipple’s pancreaticoduodenectomy (also
with Roux-en-Y), and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy [277 ]. According to ESGE guidelines [278 ], use of a side-viewing duodenoscope is the first option for performing ERCP in Billroth
II patients. However, DAE-ERCP is equally effective [279 ].
Several recent meta-analyses on using long and short DBE, SBE, and manual spiral enteroscopy
for performing ERCP in patients with altered anatomy, are based on multiple retrospective
case series [280 ]
[281 ]
[282 ]
[283 ]
[284 ] (see Table 3 s ). They show that procedural success has seemed to increase over time, reaching > 75 %
in the most recent meta-analysis, and even much higher success rates in individual
retrospective series. DBE and SBE are equally effective. Short versions of both DBE
and SBE have been developed, allowing the use of conventional ERCP accessories. Studies
have shown equal procedural success when using short-type DAE, except in the cases
of Roux-en-Y surgery without gastrectomy and long limb Roux-en-Y surgery such as RYGB,
where the short-type DAE device may be too short to reach the biliopancreatic system
[283 ]
[285 ]
[286 ]. Except for a single preliminary case report, there are currently no data available
on the use of motorized spiral enteroscopy to perform ERCP in patients with surgically
altered anatomy [287 ]. Overall, adverse events show low rates (up to 8 % in meta-analysis reviews) and
are mild with little indication for surgical intervention (mainly due to intestinal
perforation), and mortality related to DAE-ERCP is close to 0 %.
DAE-ERCP in patients with surgically altered anatomy can be considered a first-line
technique to treat biliopancreatic pathology thanks to the good overall procedural
success rate and the low adverse event rate. However, since the overall procedural
success rate is good but not excellent, alternative, more invasive techniques have
emerged, showing both higher technical success and adverse event rates. Thanks to
the excluded stomach in RYGB, multiple alternative approaches currently exist, including
laparoscopy-assisted ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-directed transgastric ERCP,
EUS-guided intrahepatic puncture with antegrade clearance, and percutaneous transhepatic
biliary drainage [288 ]
[289 ]. Both laparoscopy-assisted ERCP and EUS-directed transgastric ERCP have high (> 90 %)
procedural success rates but also higher adverse event rates (12 %–24 %) [290 ]. Also, in patients with Whipple’s pancreaticoduodenectomy, transgastric EUS-guided
drainage of the pancreatic duct is feasible with a good technical success rate of
more than 70 %, but with an adverse event rate of 20 %–35 % [291 ]
[292 ]. ERCP in patients with surgically altered anatomy is challenging and should be referred
to expert centers. The technique of choice depends on local availability and expertise,
as previously suggested by ESGE [293 ].
Innovations
SBCE
Since their inception at the dawn of this millennium, SBCE and DAE have continually
evolved. For the former, two main paths lead to further development. First, technological
advances are expected to lead to paradigm shifts. Second, patient- and society-related
outcomes may drastically change SBCE practice in the coming years.
The latest generation of commercially available SBCE devices and software currently
provides high resolution images captured by powerful central processing units, an
adaptive frame rate, post-processing chromoendoscopy options, long-life batteries
(enabling gastroenteric or enterocolonic examinations) and expert systems (allowing
faster reading) [294 ]. Implementation of AI in software is a significant step [295 ]. These solutions allow a drastic reduction (of around 90 %) in image selection and
reading time, while maintaining very high sensitivity (above 98 %) for lesion detection
[296 ]
[297 ]. Further high level clinical assessment and discussions with scientific societies
and regulatory authorities are required before AI can routinely be used in clinical
practice. This allows the triage of normal videos and/or images within videos. Additionally,
some AI software also enables characterization of abnormalities [297 ]. Researchers in AI are working to address the challenges of automated evaluation
of anatomical landmarks, of completion, and of cleanliness [295 ]. In addition, progress in miniaturization and energy-saving may provide more room
for batteries within the capsule and thereby longer battery life.
Consequently, it is expected that a genuinely “panenteric” (mouth-to-anus) capsule
endoscope will be available in the near future [298 ]. In addition, magnetically guided capsule endoscopy has been developed and clinically
assessed for examination of the stomach or combined stomach and small bowel [299 ]
[300 ]. However, active capsules with embedded AI, microbiota or tissue sampling, or therapeutic
options, are still in the early stages of development [300 ].
Furthermore, emerging healthcare and societal trends may profoundly modify how we
practice SBCE. For example, some capsule endoscopy manufacturers have recently obtained
approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for capsule home delivery, provided
that a healthcare provider accompanies patients for the procedure [300 ]. As a result, patients’ comfort and reporting times would be significantly improved.
In addition, there is growing concern regarding the ecological impact of endoscopy.
Capsule endoscopy is expected not to escape the debate around avoiding the yearly
release of tens of thousands of batteries and electronic material into the environment
[300 ]. Overall, such developments may widen the indications for capsule endoscopy and
how we practice SBCE in the future.
DAE
Motorized spiral enteroscopy
A novel motorized spiral enteroscopy device (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) has recently been
introduced. The activation of an integrated electric motor permits the rotational
movement of a spiral overtube, achieving advancement by pleating the SB. Since its
introduction, several case reports have been published, showing the potential abilities
of this new endoscopy device. The first prospective trial was conducted in 132 patients
from two European tertiary referral centers. It showed diagnostic and therapeutic
yields for antegrade explorations similar to those from previous studies with balloon
enteroscopy. However, longer insertion length (mean 450 cm, range 0–600 cm) in a shorter
procedural time (mean 25 min, range 3–122 min) was achieved [301 ]. Two other clinical studies from Europe and Asia reported similar results; moreover,
total enteroscopy rates were 61 % and 70 % [302 ]
[303 ]. Nonetheless, some issues regarding this technique are still unclear, such as the
need for general anesthesia for antegrade procedures, the learning curve, and the
target population. Furthermore, only minimal information exists on the impact of prior
major abdominal surgery on the feasibility and the safety of motorized spiral enteroscopy
[304 ]
[305 ].
Water-aided enteroscopy
The water-exchange intubation technique has been proposed to achieve higher total
enteroscopy rates. The method is the same as when applied for the exploration of the
colon, with warm saline (37 °C) infused into the intestinal lumen to maintain the
endoscopic view and mostly suctioned during the insertion phase. During the antegrade
procedure, saline is infused once the ligament of Treitz is reached, while during
the retrograde procedure, water exchange begins from insertion at the anus [306 ]. Of note, an adaptor connecting the water pump tube to the accessory channel of
the enteroscope is needed.
The two studies available so far have produced conflicting results. One randomized,
nonblinded, single-center study compared the total enteroscopy rates between patients
undergoing water-exchange-assisted (n = 55) and CO2-insufflated (n = 55) SBE [306 ]. The total enteroscopy rate was significantly higher in the water-exchange group
(58.2 % vs. 36.4 %), as well as the overall and antegrade approach insertion depths,
the overall insertion time, and the insertion time for the oral route. Diagnostic
yields and adverse event rates were similar between groups. In a prospective, comparative
and observational study, 46 patients were randomly allocated to water exchange-assisted
(n = 23 patients) and CO2-insufflated (n = 23 patients) DBE. The median insertion
depth was greater in the CO2 group, at 260 cm vs. 160 cm (P = 0.048). Multiple logistic regression showed a statistically significant difference
in the insertion depth using CO2 insufflation (OR 1.009, 95 %CI 1.001–1.017; P = 0.034). Adverse event rates were similar between groups [307 ]. Other larger RCTs comparing the water-exchange technique with CO2 are awaited.
Interventional enteroscopy
Snare and ischemic polypectomy, and conventional and underwater mucosectomy by DAE,
have become the first-line treatments for SB polyps, especially in the setting of
PJS. These techniques are efficient, safe and cost-effective. Complete resection rates
are over 60 %, with infrequent adverse events (mostly in the form of immediate or
delayed bleeding and pancreatitis) [183 ]
[184 ]. The outcomes of DAE dilation of benign SB strictures are mentioned in a previous
section.
Disclaimer
The legal disclaimer for ESGE Guidelines [3 ] applies to this Guideline.