A novel capsule endoscopy for upper and mid-GI tract: the UMGI capsule.

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: Complete and consecutive observation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract continues to present challenges for current endoscopy systems. We developed a novel upper and mid gastrointestinal (UMGI) capsule endoscopy using the modified detachable string magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy (DS-MCE) and inspection method and aimed to assess the clinical application. METHODS: Patients were recruited to undergo UMGI capsule endoscopy followed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. All capsule procedures in the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract were conducted under the control of magnet and string. The main outcome was technical success, and the secondary outcomes included visualization of the UMGI tract, examination time, diagnostic yield, compliance, and safety evaluation. RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled and all UMGI capsule procedures realized repeated observation of the esophagus and duodenum with detection rates of 100.0%, 80.0%, and 86.7% of Z-line, duodenal papilla, and reverse side of pylorus, respectively. String detachment was succeeded in 29 patients (96.7%) and the complete examination rate of UMGI tract was 95.45% (21/22). All UMGI capsule procedures were well tolerated with low discomfort score, and had a good diagnostic yield with per-lesion sensitivity of 96.2% in UGI diseases. No adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: This new capsule endoscopy system provides an alternative screening modality for the UMGI tract, and might be indicated in cases of suspected upper and small bowel GI bleeding. Trial registration DS-MCE-UGI and SB, NCT04329468. Registered 27 March 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=&term=NCT04329468 .

The scientific progress and prospects of artificial intelligence in digestive endoscopy: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) has been used for diagnosis and outcome prediction in clinical practice. Furthermore, AI in digestive endoscopy has attracted much attention and shown promising and stimulating results. This study aimed to determine the development trends and research hotspots of AI in digestive endoscopy by visualizing articles. Publications on AI in digestive endoscopy research were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection on April 25, 2022. VOSviewer and CiteSpace were used to assess and plot the research outputs. This analytical research was based on original articles and reviews. A total of 524 records of AI research in digestive endoscopy, published between 2005 and 2022, were retrieved. The number of articles has increased 27-fold from 2017 to 2021. Fifty-one countries and 994 institutions contributed to all publications. Asian countries had the highest number of publications. China, the USA, and Japan were consistently the leading driving forces and mainly contributed (26%, 21%, and 14.31%, respectively). With a solid academic reputation in this area, Japan has the highest number of citations per article. Tada Tomohiro published the most articles and received the most citations.. Gastrointestinal endoscopy published the largest number of publications, and 4 of the top 10 cited papers were published in this journal. "The Classification," "ulcerative colitis," "capsule endoscopy," "polyp detection," and "early gastric cancer" were the leading research hotspots. Our study provides systematic elaboration for researchers to better understand the development of AI in gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Readjustment of Capsule Endoscopy Protocols to the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Portuguese Tertiary Center.

BACKGROUND: The prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 transmission implies several social distancing mea- sures, imposing a change in the protocols of several hospital departments. Capsule endoscopy protocols changes were implemented and evaluated in a Portuguese tertiary center. METHODS: The authors compared pre-pandemic and peri-pandemic protocols, the latter favoring social distancing, used in MiroCam (IntroMedic, Seoul, Korea) and PillCam Crohn (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minn, USA) capsule endoscopy, in a Gastroenterology Department of a tertiary center. All capsule endoscopy performed in outpatients between February 2018 and September 2020 was included. The authors compared significant lesions detection rate, completeness of procedure, adequate bowel preparation, complications rate, and patient satisfaction (through a brief phone call survey) among the protocols. RESULTS: This study included 70 MiroCam CE and 43 PillCam Crohn capsule endoscopy. No statistically significant differences concern- ing performance measures and patients satisfaction were found among the pre-pandemic protocol and the peri-pandemic protocol in MiroCam capsule endoscopy. Conversely, in PillCam Crohn capsule endoscopy, the rate of complete exams was significantly inferior in the peri-pandemic protocol (84.8% vs 50.0%, P = .036), with no other statistically significant differences in the remaining parameters. CONCLUSION: The performance measures and patient satisfaction were similar among the protocols analyzed for MiroCam capsule endoscopy. Thus, the readjustment of this capsule endoscopy system, which favors a reduction in hospital stay, appears to be a good alternative to the former protocols in this pandemic era. In contrast, the rate of complete exams was significantly inferior in the adapted protocol to the pandemic era for PillCam Crohn capsule endoscopy, disfavoring its maintenance in the clinical practice.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of colon capsule endoscopy accuracy for colorectal cancer screening. An alternative during the Covid-19 pandemic?

AIM: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of colon capsule endoscopy for colorectal cancer screening. METHODS: Studies that compared the diagnostic performance of colonoscopy and second-generation colon capsule endoscopy (CCE-2) for screening of asymptomatic patients aged 50-75 years were included. The primary outcomes were sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios for polyps and adenomas measuring at least 6 mm or 10 mm. RESULTS: Eight full-text studies that evaluated 1602 patients were included for systematic review. Of these, 840 (52.43%) patients participated in an opportunistic screening program. The pooled outcomes of CCE-2 for polyps at least 6 mm / 10 mm were (CI = confidence interval): sensitivity: 88% (95% CI: 0.84-0.91) / 88% (95% CI: 0.82-0.93), specificity: 94% (95% CI: 0.92-0.95) / 95.5% (95% CI: 0.94-0.97); positive likelihood ratio: 11.86 (95% CI: 5.53-25.46) / 23.07 (95% CI: 6.163-86.36); negative likelihood ratio: 0.14 (95% CI: 0.1-0.21) / 0.14 (95% CI: 0.09-0.21). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve for polyps at least 6 and 10 mm was 96.3% and 96.7%, respectively. The only cancer missed by complete CCE-2 was shown at multiple frames in the unblinded review. In total, 125 (7.8%) patients presented mild adverse events mostly related to bowel preparation. CONCLUSION: CCE-2 is demonstrated to be an effective and safe alternative method for colorectal cancer screening. Diagnostic performance of CCE-2 for polyps of at least 6 and 10 mm was similar. Completion rates still need to be improved.

How a managed service for colon capsule endoscopy works in an overstretched healthcare system.

Lower gastrointestinal diagnostics have been facing significant capacity constraints, which the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated due to significant reductions in endoscopy procedures. Colon Capsule Endoscopy (CCE) provides a safe, viable solution to offset ongoing demand and could be a valuable tool for the recovery of endoscopy services post-COVID. NHS Scotland has already begun a country-wide rollout of CCE as a managed service, and NHS England have committed to a pilot scheme of 11,000 capsules via hospital-based delivery. Here, we outline a proven method of CCE delivery that ensures the CCE and results are delivered in an efficient, clinically robust manner with high patient acceptability levels through a managed service. Delivering CCE without a managed service is likely to be slower, more costly, and less effective, limiting the many benefits of CCE as an addition to the standard diagnostic pathway for bowel cancer.

Features of capsule endoscopy in COVID-19 patients with a six-month follow-up: A prospective observational study.

Recently, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic. Several studies indicate that the digestive system can also be affected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therefore, patients with digestive symptoms should have a capsule endoscopy (CE). COVID-19 patients with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms who underwent CE were recruited from March 2020 to April 2020. We collected patients' data and performed a prospective follow-up study for 6 months. All 11 COVID-19 cases with GI symptoms who underwent CE presented gastritis. Eight cases (72.7%) had intestinal mucosa inflammation. Among them, two cases showed intestinal ulcers or erosions. Moreover, two cases displayed colonic mucositis. One case was lost during follow-up. At 3-6 months after hospital discharge, five patients underwent CE again, presenting gastrointestinal lesions. Five of the 10 cases had GI symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and others. Among these five cases, the GI symptoms of three patients disappeared at the last follow-up and two patients still presented diarrhea symptoms. Overall, we observed damaged digestive tract mucosa that could be caused by SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, after discharge, some patients still presented intestinal lesions and GI symptoms.

Colon Capsule Endoscopy in the Assessment of Mucosal Healing in Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) undergo frequent endoscopic procedures, with visualization of the gastrointestinal mucosa central to treatment decision-making. Subsequently, a noninvasive alternative to optical colonoscopy (OC) would be welcomed. One such technology is capsule endoscopy, including the PillCam COLON 2 (PCC2), though research validating its use in ileocolonic CD is limited. This study aims to compare PCC2 with ileocolonoscopy (OC) in assessing mucosal CD through use of a standardized scoring system. METHODS: At an Australian tertiary hospital, same-day PCC2 and ileocolonoscopy results of 47 CD patients, with known nonstricturing disease, were prospectively collected and analyzed for correlation and agreement. Deidentified recordings were reported by a single expert gastroenterologist. Mucosal disease was quantified using the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease (SES-CD). The SES-CD results of paired endoscopic modalities were compared in total per bowel segment and per SES-CD variable. RESULTS: Of 47 PCC2 recordings, 68% were complete, fully assessing terminal ileum to rectum, and OC was complete in 89%. Correlation (r) between total SES-CD scores was strongest in the terminal ileum (r = 0.77, P < .001), with the SES-CD variable of "ulcer detection" showing the strongest agreement. The PCC2 (vs OC) identified additional ulcers in the terminal ileum; ascending, transverse, and descending colon; and rectum; scores were 5 (1), 5 (3), 1 (1), 2 (1), and 2 (2), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The PCC2 shows promise in assessing ileocolonic mucosa, especially in proximal bowel segments, with greater reach of visualization in the small bowel. Given the resource and safety considerations raised by the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, capsule endoscopy has particular significance.This article aims to contribute to the limited body of research surrounding the validity of capsule endoscopy technology in assessing ileocolonic mucosa in Crohn's Disease patients. In doing so, an alternative option for patients enduring frequent endoscopies is given potential.

Assessment of Video Capsule Endoscopy in the Management of Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance: Evaluation of acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding using invasive endoscopic procedures comprising the standard of care (SOC)-upper endoscopy and colonoscopy-can expose the endoscopy staff to SARS-CoV-2. Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) does not generate aerosols and only requires 1 person to manage the procedure. Objective: To examine the safety of VCE for the initial evaluation of GI bleeding at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic to identify signs of active bleeding while minimizing patient and personnel exposure, saving personal protective equipment, and avoiding invasive or unnecessary procedures. Design, Setting, and Participants: A multicenter (UMass Memorial Medical Center and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center) retrospective cohort study including 146 patients with COVID-19 who received VCE as the first-line diagnostic modality was conducted from March 15 to June 15, 2020, compared with SOC in January 2020 for evaluation of GI bleeding. The association between treatment and outcomes was estimated using multivariable regression adjusting for potential confounders. Propensity score matching was used to verify the results. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was detection of active bleeding or stigmata of recent bleeding. Secondary end points included the number of patients requiring any invasive procedures, number of additional procedures, rates of rebleeding and rehospitalization, transfusion requirements, and mortality. Results: Among 146 patients, 92 (63.0%) were men; mean (SD) age was 64.93 (14.13) years in the COVID-19 group and 61.33 (13.39) years in the SOC group. Active bleeding or stigmata of recent bleeding was observed in 44 (59.5%) patients in the COVID-19 group compared with 18 (25.0%) in the SOC group (adjusted odds ratio, 5.23; 95% CI, 2.23 to 12.27). Only 36 patients (48.7%) in the COVID-19 group required any invasive procedure during the hospitalization compared with 70 (97.2%) in the SOC group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.01; 95% CI, 0.001 to 0.08). The mean (SD) number of invasive procedures was 0.59 (0.77) per patient in the COVID-19 group compared with 1.18 (0.48) per patient in the SOC group (adjusted difference, -0.54; 95% CI, -0.77 to -0.31). Both approaches appeared to be safe and there was no significant difference in transfusion requirements, rebleeding, rehospitalization, or in-hospital mortality. No mortality was attributed to GI bleeding in either group. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, first-line diagnostic evaluation of acute GI bleeding using VCE appeared to be a safe and useful alternative to the traditional approach of upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Use of VCE was associated with increased detection of active bleeding and a reduced number of invasive procedures and unnecessary exposure of personnel to SARS-CoV-2 and use of personal protective equipment.

Diagnosis of Suspected Small Bowel Bleeding by Capsule Endoscopy in Patients with COVID-19.

The current study evaluated the application of small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients with suspected small bowel bleeding. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, SBCE procedures, examination results, and treatment for cases of suspected small bowel bleeding in two patients with critical COVID-19. SBCE showed active spotting bleeding in the jejunum and ileum with no identifiable lesions in case 1, while multiple small bowel ulcers were detected in case 2. Two patients had relevant changes in their management plans and received specific treatment based on SBCE findings. In summary, SBCE proved to be a non-invasive diagnostic tool for critical COVID-19 patients with suspected small bowel bleeding.

Capsule endoscopy - Recent developments and future directions.

INTRODUCTION: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is an established modality in the diagnostic algorithm of small bowel (SB) pathology. Its use has expanded for investigation of upper and lower gastrointestinal diseases with similar prototypes. AREAS COVERED: This review covers the role and recent advances of CE, as a non-invasive investigative tool. EXPERT OPINION: The use of upper gastrointestinal CE is useful in patients who require surveillance for varices particularly in the current era of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has also shown high accuracy in the detection of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients presenting with a suspicion of hemorrhage. Findings on CE help to guide further management by device-assisted enteroscopy. The data on colon CE suggest comparable diagnostic accuracy to colonoscopy for polyp detection; however, more evidence is required in the high-risk group. Crohn's CE has become an integral part of the management of patients with Crohn's disease offering a comparative assessment tool post escalation of therapy. Artificial intelligence within CE has demonstrated similar if not better diagnostic yield compared to the human with a significantly shorter reading time. Artificial intelligence is likely to be in-built within CE reading platforms over the next few years minimizing reporting time and human error.

Restarting gastrointestinal endoscopy in the deceleration and early recovery phases of COVID-19 pandemic: Guidance from the British Society of Gastroenterology.

Many non-emergency clinical services were suspended during COVID-19 pandemic peak. It is essential to develop a plan for restarting services following the peak. It is equally important to protect patients and staff and to use resources and personal protective equipment (PPE) efficiently. The British Society of Gastroenterology Endoscopy Committee and Quality Improvement Programme has produced guidance on how a restart can be safely delivered. Key recommendations include the following: all patients should have need for endoscopy assessed by senior clinicians and prioritised according to criteria we have outlined; once the need for endoscopy is confirmed, patients should undergo telephone screening for symptoms using systematic questionnaires; all outpatients should undergo RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 virus 1-3 days prior to endoscopy; and PPE should be determined by patient risk stratification, the nature of the procedure and the results of testing. While this guidance is tailored to endoscopy services, it could be adapted for any interventional medical discipline.

Colon capsule endoscopy: an innovative method for detecting colorectal pathology during the COVID-19 pandemic?

AIM: The coronavirus pandemic has led to significant challenges for healthcare delivery across the globe. Non-emergency endoscopic activity in the UK has been postponed, raising concerns of increased delays in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer and a surge in demand once services resume. Measures to mitigate this risk must be considered. METHOD: This paper reviews various investigative modalities for colorectal disease which could be deployed during cessation of colonoscopy services. We focus on colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) due to its relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic and its ability to triage patients effectively to further endoscopic investigations. RESULTS: CT of the abdomen and pelvis has been suggested as a triage tool while access to colonoscopy is limited. However, CT may lead to the spread of COVID-19 as patients attend the hospital, and it exposes them to the risks of radiation. Faecal immunochemistry tests have been demonstrated as a good predictor of colonic pathology and could be safely used to risk stratify patients when prioritizing colonoscopy. CCE is a safe and innovative technology for investigating the colon. Procedures can be carried out in the community and can be conducted safely during the coronavirus pandemic. It has been shown to be an accurate detector of colonic neoplasia and can reduce demand for colonoscopy. CONCLUSION: As colonoscopy services resume, they will probably experience high demand leading to further delays for patients. CCE could be used to reduce the number of patients requiring colonoscopy and triage those requiring further endoscopic investigations appropriately.