Small bowel strictures

Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2019 May;35(3):235-242. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000531.

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.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / complications
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects
  • Balloon Enteroscopy
  • Behcet Syndrome / complications
  • Behcet Syndrome / therapy
  • Capsule Endoscopy
  • Constriction, Pathologic / diagnosis*
  • Constriction, Pathologic / etiology
  • Constriction, Pathologic / therapy
  • Crohn Disease / complications
  • Crohn Disease / therapy
  • Dilatation
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Intestinal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Intestinal Diseases / etiology
  • Intestinal Diseases / therapy
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / complications
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Intestinal Obstruction
  • Intestinal Perforation
  • Intestine, Small*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / complications
  • Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Immunosuppressive Agents