CT enterography vs. capsule endoscopy

Abstract

Small bowel imaging has been revolutionized by CT enterography and capsule endoscopy. We present an overview of both imaging modalities, discuss advantages and disadvantages of each, and compare findings in Crohn's disease, occult gastrointestinal bleeding, and small bowel tumors. Both methods complement each other often providing information that the other one cannot.

The role of capsule endoscopy after negative CT enterography in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

“…A previous study reported that CT enterography identified bleeding sources in 45% of 22 outpatients with OGIB, including three lesions that were missed by capsule endoscopy [11]. Since CT enterography can evaluate extraintestinal diseases, a recent study mentioned that CT enterography is complementary to capsule endoscopy [12]. Particularly, for cases suspected of intestinal stricture or neoplasm, CT enterography is suggested as a first-line diagnostic investigation [11,12].…”

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: preliminary comparison of 64-section CT enteroclysis with video capsule endoscopy

“…While VCE has been compared with standard radiological examinations, comparison with more modern imaging techniques has been limited [14][15][16][17][18]. Among these recent imaging techniques, computed tomography (CT) enteroclysis has rapidly emerged as a useful tool for the diagnosis of a wide range of small-bowel diseases, including obscure gastrointestinal bleeding [14,17,[19][20][21][22].…”

Is there a difference between capsule endoscopy and computed tomography as a first-line study in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding?

“…However, the ubiquitous nature of CT, its ease of use and rapid results, as well as its more consistent diagnostic yield compared with CE favor its use as the first-line study in patients with OGIB (18). Particularly, for cases with suspected intestinal stricture or neoplasia, CT is recommended as the first-line diagnostic investigation (9,19).…”

“…However, computed tomography (CT) is easy to use, provides rapid results, and can evaluate small bowel strictures and extraluminal disease that can not be detected by CE. Because of these advantages, some consider CT as a complementary test to CE (9).…”