Double-balloon enteroscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of obscure bleeding, inflammatory bowel diseases and polyposis syndromes: we see more but do we know more?

Background/Aims: Our aim was to report our experience with the Fujinon EN-450 T5 therapeutic double-balloon endoscope (DBE) in the diagnosis of small bowel diseases. Methodology: Between August 2005 and October 2006, 52 DBE procedures were conducted in 47 consecutive patients (M/F: 22/25, age:51.6 SD19.5years) presenting at our tertiary referral hospital (37 and 7 patients from oral and anal route, respectively; 5 patients from both). All procedures were performed using i.v. anesthesia, at our outpatient clinic. Results: Indication included suspected small-bowel bleeding in 28 patients, suspected/known IBD in 12…