Intestinal obstruction by capsule endoscopy in a patient with radiation enteritis

Ann M Rogers; Ethan Kuperman; Fran J Puleo; Timothy R Shope

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Journal article

Intestinal obstruction by capsule endoscopy in a patient with radiation enteritis

Ann M Rogers, Ethan Kuperman, Fran J Puleo and Timothy R Shope

Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, Vol.12(1), pp.85-87

01/2008

PMCID: PMC3016025

PMID: 18402746

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Abstract

Video capsule endoscopy is in widespread use as a diagnostic modality. Although capsule endoscopy is generally considered safe, several prior reports have documented capsules' failure to progress through narrowed areas of intestine. Symptomatic retention and obstruction by capsule endoscopy have not yet been reported in the setting of radiation enteritis. We report a case of a patient with a history of pelvic radiation who underwent capsule endoscopy to identify an occult intestinal bleeding source after conventional modalities were not diagnostic. The patient was noted to have capsule retention several days longer than was expected, and video images of the distal bowel showed edema, narrowing, and ulceration consistent with radiation enteritis. The patient developed a symptomatic bowel obstruction requiring resection of this segment of bowel, including the impacted capsule. A history of abdominal or pelvic irradiation in patients with occult gastrointestinal bleeding should serve as a relative contraindication to video capsule endoscopy. The risk of obstruction and possible need for surgical intervention should be clearly outlined for such patients if they are to undergo this diagnostic maneuver.

Capsule Endoscopy - adverse effects

Intestinal Obstruction - etiology

Ileum - pathology

Enteritis - etiology

Constriction, Pathologic

Enteritis - complications

Humans

Ileum - surgery

Female

Ileum - diagnostic imaging

Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Radiation Injuries - complications

Details

Title: Subtitle: Intestinal obstruction by capsule endoscopy in a patient with radiation enteritis
Creators: Ann M Rogers - Department of Surgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA. arogers@hmc.psu.edu
Ethan Kuperman
Fran J Puleo
Timothy R Shope
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, Vol.12(1), pp.85-87
PMID: 18402746
PMCID: PMC3016025
ISSN: 1086-8089
eISSN: 1938-3797
Language: English
Date published: 01/2008
Academic Unit: General Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984094509202771

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