Abstract
Purpose of review:
Strictures of the small bowel are an underdiagnosed entity with significant morbidity because of obstruction and risk of perforation and penetrating disease.
Recent findings:
Recent advances in imaging, enteroscopy, and therapeutic advances particularly in Crohn's disease have enabled gastroenterologists to target and individualize management of small bowel strictures, preventing untimely surgery and complications.
Summary:
All patients with obstructive symptoms, suspected small bowel disease, and negative panendoscopy should be evaluated for small intestinal strictures with cross-sectional imaging and considered for capsule endoscopy. Furthermore, the role of device-assisted enteroscopy, initially employed as a diagnostic tool, has evolved into triaging and delivering further medical and interventional treatments.
MeSH terms
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Adenocarcinoma / complications
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Adenocarcinoma / therapy
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects
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Balloon Enteroscopy
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Behcet Syndrome / complications
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Behcet Syndrome / therapy
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Capsule Endoscopy
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Constriction, Pathologic / diagnosis*
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Constriction, Pathologic / etiology
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Constriction, Pathologic / therapy
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Crohn Disease / complications
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Crohn Disease / therapy
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Dilatation
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Humans
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Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
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Intestinal Diseases / diagnosis*
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Intestinal Diseases / etiology
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Intestinal Diseases / therapy
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Intestinal Neoplasms / complications
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Intestinal Neoplasms / therapy
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Intestinal Obstruction
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Intestinal Perforation
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Intestine, Small*
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / complications
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Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / therapy
Substances
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
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Immunosuppressive Agents