Double balloon enteroscopy for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: A total of 106 DBE procedures in 67 patients were performed at Mie University Hospital from January 2008 to June 2011. Of these, 17 procedures in 12 children and adolescents with established or suspected Crohn's disease (CD) were included in the present study. The procedure, sedation, efficacy, and safety of DBE were evaluated. Results: Mean patient age was 12.9 years (range, 3-19 years). Patients <= 15 years old had general anesthesia. The procedures included the oral approach (n = 9), the anal approach (n = 4), and the ileostomal approach (n = 4). The mean procedure duration was 60 min. Accurate diagnosis was obtained in 7/8 cases (88%) of suspected CD. Only one case was diagnosed as indeterminate colitis, although the total small and large bowel was examined on DBE and pathology. Procedure tolerance was acceptable and recovery was uneventful in all cases. No serious complications were encountered. Conclusions: With regard to the present limited IBD pediatric case series, DBE is a safe and effective procedure.