Abstract

Double balloon enteroscopy has been available since 2004 and is slowly emerging as a valuable procedure that has the potential to reach all parts of the small intestine, allowing biopsy and therapeutic intervention. This paper describes the background to its development, the mechanics of the procedure and the current and potential roles it has in relation to small bowel Crohn’s disease.

Keywords: Capsule endoscopy, Crohn’s disease, diagnosis, double balloon enteroscopy, small bowel, current and potential roles, small bowel follow through (SBFT), computed tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Enterography (MRE), CT enterography (CTE).