Capsule endoscopy in Crohn’s disease: Are we seeing any better?

Abstract

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a complex, immune-mediated disorder that often requires a multi-modality approach for optimal diagnosis and management. While traditional methods include ileocolonoscopy and radiologic modalities, increasingly, capsule endoscopy (CE) has been incorporated into the algorithm for both the diagnosis and monitoring of CD. Multiple studies have examined the utility of this emerging technology in the management of CD, and have compared it to other available modalities. CE offers a noninvasive approach to evaluate areas of the small bowel that are difficult to reach with traditional endoscopy. Furthermore, CE maybe favored in specific sub segments of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as those with IBD unclassified (IBD-U), pediatric patients and patients with CD who have previously undergone surgery.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; Diagnosis; Prognosis; Capsule endoscopy; Inflammatory bowel disease; Disease monitoring

Core tip: Crohn’s disease (CD) is a complex, immune-mediated disorder that often requires a multi-modality approach for optimal diagnosis and management. Over the past decade, capsule endoscopy (CE) has increasingly found a place in the algorithm for the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of CD. CE potentially offers a noninvasive approach to evaluate areas of the small bowel that may be difficult to access with traditional endoscopy. Furthermore, CE has potential application for specific subsegments of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as those with IBD unclassified, pediatric patients and patients with CD who have previously undergone surgery.