Yield of double-balloon enteroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel strictures

Abstract Background Small bowel strictures are common in gastroenterology practice. We report diagnostic and therapeutic yield of double-balloon enteroscopy for small bowel strictures. Methods Retrospective study of 71 consecutive patients who were found to have small bowel stricture at the time of double-balloon enteroscopy. Results During double-balloon enteroscopy, stricture identification and tissue sampling were possible in all 71 cases. Surgical pathology reported aetiology as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (32%), non-specific (21%), Crohn's disease (21%), radiation-induced (9%), tumour (10%), anastomotic (4%), celiac disease (1%), and surgical adhesions (1%). Sixteen patients (23%) underwent balloon dilation. Sensitivity of abdominal computed-tomography and video-capsule endoscopy for strictures based on double balloon enteroscopy findings was 61% and 43%, respectively. Conclusion Double-balloon enteroscopy was safe and effective to access small bowel stricture with direct visualization and tissue sampling or for therapeutic balloon dilation. Given low sensitivity with conventional computed-tomography and/or video-capsule endoscopy for small bowel stricture, double-balloon enteroscopy can be considered if clinical suspicion is high.