The role of small-bowel endoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease: an updated review on the state-of-the-art in 2021

Alexandros Skamnelos; Nikolaos Lazaridis; Erasmia Vlachou; Nikolaos Koukias; Periklis Apostolopoulos; Alberto Murino; Dimitrios Christodoulou; Edward J. Despott

Authors Alexandros Skamnelos, Nikolaos Lazaridis, Erasmia Vlachou, Nikolaos Koukias, Periklis Apostolopoulos, Alberto Murino, Dimitrios Christodoulou, Edward J. Despott.

Abstract

The impact of small-bowel (SB) capsule endoscopy and device-assisted enteroscopy on clinical practice, since their introduction 2 decades ago, has been remarkable. These disruptive technologies have transformed the investigation and management of SB pathology and now have a firmly established place in guidelines and clinical algorithms. Furthermore, recent years have witnessed innovations, driven by the demand of new goals in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as mucosal healing and evolving strategies based on tight monitoring and accelerated escalation of care. These developments in SB endoscopy have also been paralleled by refinement in dedicated radiological SB imaging technologies. This updated review highlights the current state of the art and more recent innovations with a focus on their role in IBD.

Keywords Small-bowel endoscopy, enteroscopy, capsule endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease

Ann Gastroenterol 2021; 34 (5): 599-611