A retrospective analysis comparing small bowel follow-through with wireless capsule endoscopy in the evaluation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

Gastroenterol Nurs. 2010 Jul-Aug;33(4):298-302. doi: 10.1097/SGA.0b013e3181e942f5.

Abstract

A comparative retrospective study was conducted to evaluate diagnostic findings between small bowel follow-through (SBFT) and wireless capsule endoscopy in the presence of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. A convenience sample of 31 patients with previous negative upper and lower endoscopy was included in the study. Wireless capsule endoscopy established a significant source of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding 53% of the time. The diagnostic capacity of radiographic SBFT was measured at 17% as compared with that of the wireless capsule endoscopy. The clinical findings along with the digital images obtained from the wireless capsule endoscopy was found to be the optimum diagnostic tool in the evaluation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in the small bowel.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Capsule Endoscopy*
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnosis*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Intestine, Small*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography
  • Retrospective Studies