Is the use of AGILE patency capsule prior to videocapsule endoscopy useful in all patients with spondyloarthritis?

Background And Aims: As already known, spondyloarthritis patients present a striking resemblance in intestinal inflammation with early Crohn's disease. Moreover, the frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is an important part of their treatment. Both conditions could lead to intestinal stenoses.

The Impact of Hypoxaemia on the Outcome in Liver Cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Prognostic factors for poor evolution are critical in the setting of limited access to liver transplantation for patients with cirrhosis. We aimed to investigate the impact of hypoxaemia on the outcome in cirrhosis and the evolution of arterial oxygen tension during long-term follow-up in these patients.

Methods: Consecutive cirrhotic patients were prospectively enroled and followed-up in our tertiary referral center.

Significant Delay Posed by the Ileocecal Valve in Videocapsule Endoscopy Small Bowel Transit Time.

Because the ileocecal valve could theoretically influence the progression of the videocapsule, we aimed to characterize its posed delay in videocapsule passage to the cecum. A retrospective study was conducted of all procedures in which patients experienced in the same day colonoscopy with ileal biopsy and videocapsule endoscopy. In all 11 patients who satisfied the criteria, at least one biopsy-induced ileal mucosal defect could be identified.

Functional dyspepsia today.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a disorder presenting with symptoms such as postprandial fullness, early satiety or epigastric pain. Although there is a 10 to 30% reported prevalence worldwide, there is currently no clear explanation of the pathophysiology behind this condition. Motility disorders, visceral hypersensitivity, acid disorders, Helicobacter pylori infection or psychosocial factors have all been reported to play a part in the pathophysiology of FD.

Computed virtual chromoendoscopy - enhanced videocapsule endoscopy is of potential benefit in gastric antral vascular ectasia syndrome refractory to endoscopic treatment.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) syndrome represents a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. More extensive small-bowel involvement must be excluded in those patients with GAVE syndrome in whom aggressive endoscopic treatment of antral lesions results in lack of control of digestive bleeding, and for this subset of patients videocapsule endoscopy examination should be considered. However, since the dim angioectatic lesions, even if located in the gastric antrum, might be difficult to accurately outline with standard endoscopy, virtual chromoendoscopy techniques have been employed to aid in their detection, and the presented case illustrates how Fujinon intelligent color-enhancement (FICE) technology implemented in videocapsule endoscopy clearly emphasizes the vascular morphology and delineation of antral angioectasias, allowing better targeted endoscopic treatment and improving patient outcome.

NSAID-induced deleterious effects on the proximal and mid small bowel in seronegative spondyloarthropathy patients.

Aim: To investigate the small bowel of seronegative spondyloarthropathy (SpA) patients in order to ascertain the presence of mucosal lesions.

Methods: Between January 2008 and June 2010, 54 consecutive patients were enrolled and submitted to a video capsule endoscopy (VCE) examination. History and demographic data were taken, as well as the history of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) consumption.