More sensitive than capsule endoscopy for detecting obscure gastrointestinal bleeding
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 24 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB), multiphase computed tomographic (CT) enterography is significantly more sensitive than capsule endoscopy for detecting small bowel bleeding sources and masses, according to a study published online June 3 in Radiology.
James E. Huprich, M.D., from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and colleagues compared the performance of multiphase CT enterography with that of capsule endoscopy in 58 patients with OGIB (occult, 25 and overt, 33 patients). Two radiologists, who were blinded to clinical data and results of capsule endoscopy images interpreted CT enterography, and resolved discordant interpretations by consensus. Results were compared with reference standard (surgery or endoscopy) and clinical follow-up. For each modality, the sensitivity and 95 percent confidence intervals were calculated.
The investigators identified 16 patients with a small bowel bleeding source. The sensitivity of CT enterography was significantly greater compared with capsule endoscopy (88 versus 38 percent, respectively). Significantly more small bowel masses were identified with CT enterography than capsule endoscopy (100 versus 33 percent, respectively). No additional small bowel tumors were discovered during the 16.6 month mean follow-up period.
"The sensitivity of CT enterography for detecting small bowel bleeding sources and small bowel masses was significantly greater than that of capsule endoscopy," the authors write.
Several of the study authors disclosed financial ties with diagnostic imaging companies including Siemens Medical Solutions, which provided the CT scanner used in the study.
Abstract
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