Treatment of small-bowel diaphragm disease by using double-balloon enteroscopy.

BACKGROUND

Double-balloon enteroscopy is a new technique that allows endoscopic therapy throughout the entire length of the small bowel. Diaphragm disease, characterized by thin septa that narrow the small-bowel lumen, is traditionally treated surgically by segmental resection.

OBJECTIVE

To report successful endoscopic treatment of diaphragm disease by double-balloon enteroscopy.

PATIENTS: Three patients.

DESIGN

Case report.

INTERVENTIONS: Double-balloon enteroscopy and stricture balloon dilation.

RESULTS

We report, for the first time, 3 cases in which diaphragm strictures were successfully treated during double-balloon enteroscopy. In 2 cases, a retained capsule endoscope was removed by the retrograde approach after stricture dilation.

LIMITATIONS: Small number of patients and brief length of patient follow up.

CONCLUSION

Double-balloon enteroscopy may be used to treat patients with diaphragm disease, thus avoiding potentially complicated surgery.