Double-balloon endoscopy in follow-up of Crohn disease in small intestine

Objective To investigate the value of double-balloon endoscopy （DBE） in follow-up of Crohng disease （CD） in small intestine. Methods DBE was applied in follow-up of 41 patients who had already been diagnosed as having small intestine CD. The relationship between mucosal repairment and clinical symptoms, serologic markers, and duration of treatment was evaluated. Results Symptom remission was achieved in 92. 7% of patients after a month of treatment. Serum C reaction protein （CRP） level returned into normal limitation in 97.6% of patients after 2 months of treatment. The average time of DBE when mueosal lesions displayed no/ little improvement, improvement and marked improvement were 7. 1 ± 4. 3, 16. 5 ± 7. 1, 25.0 ± 12. 7 months after the treatment, respectively, which were significantly different （P 〈 0. 01 ）. For those patients in whom both small intestine and colon were involved, there was no difference between different locations in regarding of the improvement of mucosa （P = 0. 215 ）. Conclusion The mueosal recovery in small intestine CD is achieved more slowly than symptomatic relief and normalization of serum CRP. The ideal reexamination time of DBE is 10-15 months after the treatment with long-term immuno-depressant administration. For those in whom small intestine and colon are both involved, reexamination with colonoseopy is recommended. Key words: Crohn disease ;  Double-balloon endoscopy;  Intestine