Review
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World J Gastrointest Endosc. Nov 16, 2012; 4(11): 500-505
Published online Nov 16, 2012. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v4.i11.500
Endoscopic management of inflammatory bowel disease strictures
Raluca Vrabie, Gerald L Irwin, David Friedel
Raluca Vrabie, Gerald L Irwin, David Friedel, Winthrop University Hospital, 259 First Street, Mineola, NY 11501, United States
Author contributions: Vrabie R wrote the article; Irwin GL provided the CT image; Friedel D is the senior author for this paper.
Correspondence to: Raluca Vrabie, Assistant Professor, Winthrop University Hospital, 259 First Street, Mineola, NY 11501, United States. rvrabie@winthrop.org
Telephone: +1-516-6636905 Fax: +1-516-6634655
Received: September 7, 2012
Revised: October 12, 2012
Accepted: October 26, 2012
Published online: November 16, 2012
Abstract

Stricture formation is a common complication of Crohn’s disease, occurring in approximately one third of all patients with this condition. While the traditional management of such strictures has been largely surgical, there have been case series going back three decades highlighting the potential role of endoscopic balloon dilation in this clinical setting. This review article summarizes the stricture pathogenesis, focusing on known clinical and genetic risk factors. It then highlights the endoscopic balloon dilation research to date, with particular emphasis on three large recent case series. It concludes by describing the literature consensus regarding specific methodology and presenting avenues for future investigations.

Keywords: Stricture; Endoscopic dilation; Crohn’s disease