Double-balloon endoscopy versus MR enteroclysis in diagnosing suspected small bowel manifestations in Crohn's disease – results of a pilot study

Aims: Small intestinal manifestations of Crohn's disease (CD) were underestimated regarding their frequency and even their clinical dignity for long. Regarding previous estimations for involvement of the small bowel proximal the terminal ileum ranging between 4% and 65%. This was mainly caused by diagnostic limitations when trying to study the small intestine. It is evident from a clinical perspective with strictures and inflammatory mucosal swelling having in mind that an accurate localization of such complications would be of good help. Double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) is a new method allowing complete visualisa…