Small Bowel Crohn's Disease: An Emerging Disease Phenotype?

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry Hall ◽  
Grainne Holleran ◽  
Deirdre McNamara
Keyword(s):  
Crohn’S Disease ◽  
Small Bowel ◽  
Crohn's Disease ◽  
Capsule Endoscopy ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Mr Enterography ◽  
Anatomical Location ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Endoscopic Techniques ◽  
Distinct Disease

An increasing understanding of the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD), coupled with improvements in therapeutic options, has promoted the concept of stratifying patients with CD into distinct disease phenotypes according to risk. Small bowel CD, due to the numerous non-specific potential symptoms and the anatomical location of the disease, is a particularly difficult phenotype to identify. The fact that the majority of de novo strictures occur in the ileum/ileo-colonic region ensures that recognition of small bowel involvement is essential. Certainly, it is becoming increasingly recognised due to improvements in imaging and endoscopic techniques. Both CT and MR enterography appear capable of accurately diagnosing small bowel CD. Furthermore, the development of capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted enteroscopy allow direct visualisation of the small bowel. Limited data to date would suggest that small bowel CD is a difficult entity to treat even in the current era of the ever-expanding field of biological therapies. Further long-term follow-up studies are necessary using both small bowel capsule endoscopy and cross-sectional imaging to truly assess, firstly, whether small bowel CD is more resistant to treatment and, secondly, whether it has an effect over time in terms of complications. In the future, serological and genetic tests, coupled with the aforementioned investigations, will permit early diagnosis and early treatment of small bowel CD.

scholarly journals P096 Which patients with known Crohn’s disease after an ileo-colonoscopy will benefit most from small bowel capsule endoscopy?

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S193-S194
Author(s):  
N Viazis ◽  
A Mountaki ◽  
K Koustenis ◽  
C Veretanos ◽  
K Arvanitis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crohn’S Disease ◽  
Small Bowel ◽  
Crohn's Disease ◽  
Capsule Endoscopy ◽  
Terminal Ileum ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Endoscopic Techniques ◽  
Proximal Small Bowel ◽  
Number Of Patients

Abstract Background Ileo-colonoscopy with biopsies is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis and management of Crohn’s disease (CD). In contrast, the role of small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is limited currently in cases where ileo-colonoscopy and imaging techniques raise doubts on the diagnosis or cannot explain certain clinical manifestations of Crohn’s disease. The aim of our study was to determine whether there are patients with endoscopically confirmed established CD who could get additional benefit by SBCE. Methods Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 6301 patients subjected to SBCE in our department from 1st March 2003 to 18th February 2021. Patients with CD diagnosed by ileo-colonoscopy or total colonoscopy only (because the ileo-caecal valve could not be intubated) prior to SBCE were included in the study and biopsies. SBCE had been performed only in patients who lacked any clinical and/or imaging (CT/MRE) evidence of bowel obstruction. The presence and extent of mucosal lesions, namely local and/or diffuse erythema, erosions and ulcers (aphthous, superficial and/or deep) throughout the small intestine, which may be difficult to identify by traditional imaging, could either explain clinical manifestations unrelated to the findings of colonoscopy or led onto reassessment of applied treatments were sought by SBCE. Results The study sample consisted of 1002 patients (males/females: 511/491, mean age ± SD: 52.6±27.3). Among these, CD had been diagnosed with colonoscopy (and not ileo-colonoscopy) in 293 (29.2%) subjects and small bowel involvement was seen in 104 (35.5%) patients. The vast majority of these patients had lesions only in the terminal ileum (n=81, 77.8%), while the remaining patients (n=23, 22.2%) had additional lesions in more proximal parts of the small bowel. Among the 709 (70.8%) patients in whom CD had been diagnosed by ileo-colonoscopy, lesions in the terminal ileum were found in 407 (57.4 %) patients; SBCE revealed more proximal lesions in 104 patients (25.5%). In the remaining 307 patients (43.3%) in whom ileo-colonoscopy did not reveal terminal ileum involvement, more proximal small bowel lesions were seen in 35 (11.4%) patients. These lesions were mainly apthoid ulcers or larger ulcers, findings that led to a change in therapeutic management in 17 patients (48.6%). Conclusion SBCE identifies more proximal small bowel lesions in a substantial number of patients with CD established by traditional endoscopic techniques. When these lesions are more severe and extensive they may lead onto re-evaluation of the personalized therapeutic strategies.

Luminal narrowing alone allows an accurate diagnosis of Crohn’s disease small bowel strictures at cross-sectional imaging

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Stocker ◽  
Michael J King ◽  
Maria El Homsi ◽  
Guillermo Carbonell ◽  
Octavia Bane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crohn’S Disease ◽  
Small Bowel ◽  
Crohn's Disease ◽  
Diagnostic Performance ◽  
Mr Enterography ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Luminal Narrowing ◽  
Cross Sectional Imaging ◽  
Sectional Imaging ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Abstract Background and Aims Current consensus recommendations define small bowel strictures (SBS) in Crohn’s disease (CD) on imaging as luminal narrowing with unequivocal upstream bowel dilation. The aim of this study was to 1) evaluate the performance of cross-sectional imaging for SBS diagnosis in CD using luminal narrowing with upstream SB dilation and luminal narrowing with or without upstream dilation, and 2) compare the diagnostic performance of CT and MR enterography (MRE) for SBS diagnosis. Methods One hundred and eleven CD patients (81 with pathologically confirmed SBS, 30 controls) who underwent CT and/or MRE were assessed. Two radiologists (R1, R2) blinded to pathology findings independently assessed the presence of luminal narrowing and upstream SB dilation. Statistical analysis was performed for a) luminal narrowing with or without SB upstream dilation (“possible SBS”), b) luminal narrowing with upstream SB dilation ≥3cm (“definite SBS”). Results Sensitivity for detecting SBS was significantly higher using “possible SBS” (R1, 82.1%; R2, 77.9%) compared to “definite SBS” (R1, 62.1%; R2, 65.3%; p<0.0001) with equivalent specificity (R1, 96.7%; R2, 93.3%; p>0.9). Using criterion “possible SBS”, sensitivity/specificity were equivalent between CT (R1, 87.3%/93.3%; R2, 83.6%/86.7%) and MRE (R1, 75.0%/100%; R2: 70.0%/100%). Using criterion “definite SBS”, CT showed significantly higher sensitivity (78.2%) compared to MRE (40.0%) for R1 but not R2 with similar specificities (CT, 86.7%-93.3%; MRE, 100%). Conclusion SBS can be diagnosed using luminal narrowing alone without the need for upstream dilation. CT and MRE show similar diagnostic performance for SBS diagnosis using luminal narrowing with or without upstream dilation.

scholarly journals Endoscopy in Small Bowel Crohn’s Disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Garrido ◽  
Susana Lopes ◽  
Guilherme Macedo
Keyword(s):  
Crohn’S Disease ◽  
Small Bowel ◽  
Crohn's Disease ◽  
Capsule Endoscopy ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Video Capsule Endoscopy ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Entire Small Bowel ◽  
Invasive Test

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a complex disorder with variable age of onset, disease location and behavior. It is characterized by a transmural inflammation that may involve any portion of the gastrointestinal tract. Ileocolonoscopy with biopsy is established as the first-line investigation for suspected CD. However, small bowel involvement is more difficult to assess by conventional endoscopy. Therefore, radiological imaging should also be performed to complement ileocolonoscopy in all patients with suspected CD. Recently, video capsule endoscopy and device-assisted enteroscopy have revolutionized the management of small bowel CD. In fact, video capsule endoscopy is a non-invasive test that provides the visualization of the entire small bowel mucosa, which can assist in the diagnosis of CD and assess the therapeutic response. On the other hand, device-assisted enteroscopy enables direct tissue sampling for histopathology confirmation when traditional endoscopy, video capsule endoscopy and cross-sectional imaging are inconclusive. Moreover, it allows therapeutic interventions such as balloon stricture dilation. In this chapter, we review the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis and management of patients with small bowel CD.

scholarly journals Performance of Capsule Endoscopy and Cross-Sectional Techniques in Detecting Small Bowel Lesions in Patients with Crohn’s Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Calabrese ◽  
Margherita Diegoli ◽  
Nikolas Dussias ◽  
Marco Salice ◽  
Fernando Rizzello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crohn’S Disease ◽  
Small Bowel ◽  
Crohn's Disease ◽  
Capsule Endoscopy ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Imaging Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional Imaging ◽  
Sectional Imaging

Abstract Background Crohn’s disease (CD) can be classified according to endoscopic and cross-sectional imaging characteristics. Information regarding disease extent and phenotype may be provided by advanced endoscopic and imaging techniques. In this study, we compare the ability of capsule endoscopy (CE) and cross-sectional imaging techniques (CST) (MRE/Computer Tomography Enteroscopy [CTE]) in detecting small bowel (SB) lesions. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 102 patients with a diagnosis of CD who underwent both CE and CST. Only patients with at least a 12-month follow-up after CE were included. Results Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of SB lesions were, respectively, 100% and 83.3% for CE, 55.1% and 80% for CTE, and 60% and 82.3% for MRE. CE detected proximal CD lesions in 73% of patients, whereas MRE and CTE detected proximal lesions in 41% and 16% of patients, respectively (P < 0.001). Positive findings on CE led to management changes in all patients, in a median follow-up period of 58.7 months. During the follow-up period, 26.5% of patients underwent surgery. Multivariate analysis revealed that moderate-to-severe disease at CE was independently correlated with surgery (P = 0.03). Conclusions CE has a superior sensitivity for detecting CD lesions in the proximal and medium SB compared with CST. In the terminal ileum, MRE and CTE displayed similar performance to CE.

scholarly journals Endoscopic Evaluation and Therapeutic Considerations of Small Bowel Crohn’s Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-258
Author(s):  
Rupa Banerjee ◽  
Partha Pal
Keyword(s):  
Crohn’S Disease ◽  
Small Bowel ◽  
Crohn's Disease ◽  
Capsule Endoscopy ◽  
Balloon Dilation ◽  
Endoscopic Evaluation ◽  
Double Balloon Enteroscopy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Imaging ◽  
Sectional Imaging

Small bowel evaluation is warranted in all newly diagnosed cases of Crohn’s disease (CD) as small bowel is involved in two-thirds of CD patients at diagnosis and the involvement can be discontinuous. Endoscopic evaluation of the small bowel in suspected or established CD can be done by video capsule endoscopy (VCE), device assisted enteroscopy (DAE) (which includes single and double balloon enteroscopy, novel motorized spiral enteroscopy (NMSE) and balloon guided endoscopy (BGE)) and intra-operative enteroscopy (IOE). In suspected CD with a negative ileo-colonoscopy, VCE is the preferred initial diagnostic modality in the absence of obstructive symptoms or known stenosis. VCE should be preceded by cross-sectional imaging or patency capsule testing if obstruction is suspected given with high retention risk. In established cases, small bowel cross-sectional imaging (magnetic resonance or computed tomography enterography) is preferred over VCE as it can assess transmural and extra-luminal involvement. VCE is indicated subsequently if necessary to assess disease extent, unexplained symptoms (e.g., anemia, malnutrition) or mucosal healing. Pan-enteric capsule endoscopy (PCE) and the use of artificial intelligence are the recent developments with VCE. DAE with small bowel biopsy can provide definitive evidence of CD including the extent and severity. A final diagnosis of CD is based on the constellation of clinical, radiologic, histologic and endoscopic features. Newer technologies like NMSE and BGE can help with deeper and faster small bowel evaluation. DAE has also allowed endoscopic treatment of small bowel strictures, small bowel bleeding and retrieval of retained capsule or foreign bodies. Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD), endoscopic electro-incision, strictureplasty and stenting have shown promising results in CD related small bowel strictures. In conclusion, endoscopic evaluation of the small bowel is rapidly evolving field that has a major role in diagnosis and management of small bowel CD and can alter treatment outcomes in properly selected patients.

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