Role of Capsule Endoscopy in Diagnosing Various Disorders of Small Intestine
Study Objective: To determine the diagnostic value of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) in various disorders of the small intestine. Materials and Methods: Overall, 134 patients were examined in the study, including 72 women (53.7%) and 62 men (46.3%). The average age was 41.48 ±9.33 years. Patients were divided into 5 groups, according to their clinical manifestations: anemia of unknown origin; anemia and diarrhea; anemia, diarrhea and abdominal pain; abdominal pain and diarrhea; and abdominal pain and /or flatulence. Study Results: In Group 1, arteriovenous malformation with hemorrhage was detected in 42.9% of patients. Diverticula (9.5%), helminthiases (9.5%), and polyps (9.5%) were also detected in patients. In Group 2, endoscopy showed celiac disease in 33.3% of patients, and Crohn's disease in 12.5% of patients. In Group 3, Crohn's disease was diagnosed in 50% of patients. In Group 4, endoscopy showed Crohn's disease, Yersinia enterocolitica enteritis, and diverticular disease of the small intestine in 10.3%, 6.9% and 6.9% of patients, respectively. In Group 5, 6.3% of patients were diagnosed with parasitic enteritis; and arteriovenous malformations, Yersinia enterocolitica enteritis and polyps in the small intestine were each identified in 3.1% of patients. Conclusion: In patients with anemia, VCE has a proven diagnostic value (p < 0.05) in detecting the source of bleeding. This anemia can be caused by arteriovenous malformations, erosion and ulcers (in Crohn's disease and Yersinia enterocolitica enteritis), diverticula, lesions (polyps) in the small intestine, and helminthiases. VCE allows us to evaluate the length of the lesion in the small intestine in Crohn's disease and celiac disease and to identify any complications in their early stages.