Enteroscopy

An enteroscope uses a long flexible tube with a balloon and a camera attached that can go deep down the inside of the small bowel. During a single- or double-balloon enteroscopy, balloons attached to the endoscope can be inflated to allow the doctor to view a section of the small intestine. The enteroscope is usually…

Tell the doctor doing your enteroscopy if you take blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), apixaban (Eliquis), aspirin, or daily NSAIDs because these may interfere with the test. Do not stop taking any medicine unless told to do so by your doctor or health care provider. Do not eat any solid…

You will be given calming and sedating medicine for the procedure and will not feel any discomfort. You may have some bloating or cramping when you wake up. This is from air that is pumped into the abdomen to expand the area during the procedure. A capsule endoscopy causes no discomfort.

This test is most often performed to help diagnose diseases of the small intestine. It may be done if you have: Abnormal x-ray results Tumors in the small intestine Unexplained diarrhea Unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding

In a normal test result, the doctor will not find sources of bleeding in the small bowel, and will not find any tumors or other abnormal tissue.

Abnormal signs during an enteroscopy may include: Abnormalities of the tissue lining the small intestine (mucosa) or the tiny, finger-like projections on the surface of the small intestine (villi) Abnormal lengthening of blood vessels (angioectasia) in the intestinal lining Immune cells called PAS-positive macrophages…

Complications are rare but may include: Excessive bleeding from the biopsy site Hole in the bowel (bowel perforation) Infection of the biopsy site leading to bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream) Vomiting, followed by aspiration into the lungs The capsule endoscope can cause a blockage in a narrowed intestine with…

Factors that prohibit use of this test may include: Uncooperative or confused person Untreated blood clotting (coagulation) disorders Use of medicines that prevent the blood from clotting normally (anticoagulants) The greatest risk is bleeding. Signs of bleeding include: Abdominal pain Blood in the stools Vomiting…

Cameron J. Large bowel. In: Cameron J, ed. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:177-286. Rojas I, Barth B. Capsule endoscopy and small bowel enteroscopy. In: Wyllie R, Hyams JS, Kay M, eds. Pediatric Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 63.…