Single-balloon enteroscopy, magnetic resonance enterography, and abdominal US useful for evaluation of small-bowel disease in children with (suspected) Crohn's disease

Background The usefulness of single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) has not been evaluated in children with known or suspected Crohn's disease (CD). Objective The objectives of this study are to evaluate the diagnostic yield of SBE for pediatric CD by comparing it with US and magnetic resonance enterography (MRE). Design Single-center prospective study. Setting Tertiary-care referral hospital. Patients Between February 2009 and April 2010, 20 pediatric patients (ages 8-18 years) with suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or with a previous diagnosis of CD with suspected persistent small-bowel disease were enrolled. Interventions All patients underwent proximal and distal SBE, 17 patients also underwent US combined with Doppler flow measurements, and 18 underwent MRE. Main Outcome Measurements The findings of US with Doppler flow measurements and MRE were compared with those with SBE. Results The mean patient age was 15.0 years (range 11.3-18 years, 70% male). Of 14 patients with suspected IBD, 8 had a diagnosis of CD made after SBE. Activity in the small bowel was found in 14 patients (70%) with both suspected and previously diagnosed CD. Twelve patients (60%) had small-bowel disease that was out of reach of conventional endoscopy. Three patients (15%) had small-bowel activity solely in the jejunum, which was not detected by either MRE or US. Limitations Single-center study with small sample size. Conclusions SBE can be used in children to accurately assess small-bowel disease and CD. Small-bowel activity may be identified by SBE in some patients in whom it may not be apparent despite use of conventional upper endoscopy, ileocolonoscopy, US with Doppler flow measurements, or MRE.