Aim: To evaluate the clinical impact of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) before double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) for patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).
Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected cases with DBE and MDCT for overt OGIB was conducted from April 2004 to April 2010 at Changhua Christian Hospital. We evaluated the clinical impact of MDCT on the subsequent DBE examinations and the diagnostic yields of both MDCT and DBE respectively.
Results: From April 2004 to April 2010, a total of 75 patients underwent DBE for overt OGIB. Thirty one cases received MDCT followed by DBE for OGIB. The overall diagnostic yields of DBE and MDCT was 93.5% and 45.2%. The MDCT had a high diagnostic yield of tumor vs non-tumor etiology of OGIB (85.7% vs 33.3%, P = 0.014). Additionally, the choice of initial route of DBE was correct in those with a positive MDCT vs negative MDCT (100% vs 52.9%, P = 0.003).
Conclusion: This study suggests MDCT as a triage tool may identify patients who will benefit from DBE and aid the endoscopist in choosing the most efficient route.
Keywords: Capsule endoscopy; Double-balloon endoscopy; Multidetector computed tomography; Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.