Push Enteroscopy Patient Information

Enteroscopy (endoscopy) is an important tool for direct visualization of the small intestine (small bowel). Push enteroscopy, in particular, may be useful in the diagnosis of small bowel disorders.

Description

• According to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, push enteroscopy differs from standard enteroscopy in that it can reach further into the small intestine, it accommodates a full range of accessories and it enables a more extensive exploration of the small intestine.

Indications

• According to the society, obscure (unexplained) intestinal bleeding is the most common reason for a push enteroscopy. Other possible reasons include abnormal X-ray results, tumors in the small intestines, malabsorption syndromes and unexplained diarrhea.

Considerations

• You must sign a consent form before undergoing any enteroscopy. MD Consult also indicates that patients may receive a numbing medication, or a mild sedative, to counter any gagging or potential pain associated with the procedure.

Procedure

• During the procedure, the examiner inserts a thin, long and flexible tube (endoscope) through the mouth, into the stomach, as well as the upper and middle sections of the small bowel. The examiner may remove several tissue samples (biopsies) during the process for laboratory examination.

Benefits

• Push endoscopy has dual use as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Indeed, Medicine.net indicates that the procedure can help both diagnose and stop bleeding in patients with intermittently bleeding angiodysplasias (clusters of weakened blood vessels) in the small intestine.

Complications

• According to MD Consult, complications are rare, but may include excessive bleeding, hole in the bowel, infection of the biopsy site and vomiting, followed by aspiration into the lungs.