THE FIRST MULTICENTER STUDY OF CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY IN JAPAN: CLINICAL OUTOCOME OF OBSCURE GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING

Abstract

Background: Capsule endoscopy (PillCamTM SB, Given Imaging, Yoqneam, Israel) is the first line tool for the examination of the small bowel. However, it is not approved yet in Japan. The first multi-center study of capsule endoscopy in Japan was conducted to investigate its clinical outcome and usefulness for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Methods : Between February and October 2004, 197cases of 185 patients were examined by capsule endoscopy in 9 hospitals in Japan. Results : The main indication of examinations was OGIB (135/185 patients, 73%). Gastric and small-bowel transit time was 39.3±38.1 and 304.7±103.3 minutes, respective-ly. Capsule retention that required endoscopic or surgical retrieval occurred in 3 cases (1.62%). Clinical outcome was obtained 70 of 135 OGBI cases (ulcer or erosion: 34.3%, vascular: 25.7%, neoplasia : 17.1%, Crohn's disease: 10%, and others). Capsule endoscopy is useful for early diagnois of OGIB and it may contribute to shorten admission period. Conclusion: Capsule endoscopy is safe and useful examination for Japanese patients.