The Clinical Significance of the Excavated Lesions (Aphthae/Erosions, Ulcers) in the Small Bowel Detected by Capsule Endoscopy. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical significance of the excavated lesions (aphthae/erosions and ulcers) diagnosed by capsule endoscopy in the small bowel. Clinical implication of the excavated lesions in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract is investigated and estimated very well. There is no data available in the literature, which shows the incidence of the excavated lesions in the small bowel farther than distal part of duodenum, in other words, farther than conventional endoscopical techniques possibilities allow. We hypothesize that clinical significance of the excavated lesions in the small bowel, which were ascertained by using a new diagnostic method - capsule endoscopy, should be similar to the clinical value of similar lesions in other regions of the gastrointestinal tract, ascertained by conventional endoscopic studies. In particular, taking into account the anatomical features of the small intestine, as well as the specific methods of the capsule endoscopy. Clinical implication of the excavated lesions in the small bowel is predominantly unknown. At this moment most data, which is related to the excavated lesions in the small bowel, is connected with bleeding and anemia, developing of strictures and risk of perforation. These data was obtained predominantly with “non-capsule” diagnostic modalities. Our research, for the first time is evaluating the relationship between the excavated lesions, diagnosed by capsule endoscopy, and patients’ vital signs, diagnoses and other lesions of the small bowel. This study is unique, because such research has not been published yet. Obtained results prove that the excavated lesions in the small bowel diagnosed by capsule endoscopy because of its anatomical difference (incomparably wider surface than in stomach or colon) are always with high clinical implication. Even in case of superficial (erosive) lesions occupying insignificant part of the bowel (segmental enteropathy).