ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Double-balloon enteroscopy is a new method that allows complete visualization of the lumen of small bowel. This study was conducted to evaluate safety, extent of observation and clinical efficacy of double-balloon push enteroscopy in diagnosis of patients with small bowel disease in children. METHODS: Fourteen cases suspected of small bowel diseases with negative findings on examinations with various routine diagnostic modalities underwent double-balloon push enteroscopy from June, 2003 to May, 2005. Of the 14 cases, 13 had gastrointestinal bleeding and iron deficient anemia and 1 case had chronic diarrhea, the causes of these conditions were unknown. RESULTS: The enteroscopy reached jejunal-ileum transitional area, middle or lower portion of ileum and terminal ileum in 2, 10 and 2 cases, and the examination time was 40-50 min, 55-70 min and 78-89 min, respectively. Lesions were detected in 12 of 14 the cases. The positive diagnostic rate was 85.7%. There were no relevant technical problems or severe complications. CONCLUSION: Double-balloon push enteroscopy is a safe, reliable diagnostic modality of high clinical value for small bowel diseases in children.
Subject(s)
Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal , Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal , Intestinal Diseases/diagnosis , Intestinal Diseases/etiology , Intestine, Small/pathology , Adolescent , Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/diagnosis , Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/etiology , Catheterization/instrumentation , Catheterization/methods , Child , Child, Preschool , Diagnosis, Differential , Diarrhea/etiology , Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal/adverse effects , Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal/adverse effects , Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal/methods , Female , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/diagnosis , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology , Humans , Intestinal Diseases/complications , Intestinal Diseases/pathology , MaleABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic sclerotherapy has emerged as an effective treatment for bleeding esophageal varices in adults and children but the long-term outcome is poorly defined in children. The present study aimed to study the long-term effect of endoscopic sclerotherapy in children with portal hypertension. METHODS: Fifteen patients (age 3 to 14 years) with esophageal variceal bleeding underwent endoscopic injection treatments with 1% Aethoxy-sclerol since 1996. All subjects continued to receive the therapy by repeated intra and extravariceal endoscopic sclerotherapy at intervals of 3 - 4 weeks until the varices disappeared, and received regular endoscopic follow-up. RESULTS: Fifteen patients had totally 43 injections, and were followed up from 40 to 86 months (mean 66 months) by endoscopy. Two patients received 2 injections and 5 received 3 before eradication of varices. The mean time needed for varices eradication was 3 to 6 months. Recurrence of varices and bleeding was seen in 3 patients who had duodenal ulcer. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic sclerotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for pediatric esophageal varices.
