Double Balloon Enteroscopy & Capsule Endoscopy

Double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a procedure for evaluation of the small intestine
DBE is performed after sedation, enterosocpe is introduced through the mouth or anal route. Over the scope, overtube is passed for deep intubation of small intestine

Indications of double balloon enteroscopy are

• GI bleed of suspected small intestine origin
• Evaluation of stricture in small intestine
• Tumor of small intestine
• Evaluation of small intestine in a patient with Crohn’s disease

During double balloon enteroscopy, biopsy can be taken from suspicious areas and endotherapy can be done for the bleeding lesions

Capsule Endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy is non invasive test, which does not require any sedation For capsule endoscopy, patient swallows a small capsule, capsule has inbuilt camera, which captures and send the images of small inetstine  to external data recorder, which are later studied for the evaluation of small intestine

Capsule should not be used, if there is suspicion of stricture in small intestine Moreover, tissue can not be obtained from diseased areas and endotherapy can not be done.

Capsule is passed out later in the stool, and it is not required to retrieve the capsule.