source: International journal of colorectal disease

year: 2010

authors: Günther U, Bojarski C, Buhr H J, Zeitz M, Heller F

PURPOSE : Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) are hereditary polyposis syndromes with a high risk for benign small-bowel polyps and cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of small-bowel polyps beyond the duodenum in patients with FAP and PJS and to examine the clinical value and the optimal interval of capsule endoscopy (CE) for the surveillance of small-bowel polyps in patients with FAP.

METHODS : Between 2002 and 2009, standard gastroscopy, duodenoscopy, and CE were performed on 19 consecutive patients with hereditary polyposis syndromes (FAP n=15; PJS n=4). The number, size, and location of polyps detected by CE were assessed. Five FAP patients had repeated CEs in intervals of 2-7 years.

RESULTS : In 13 of the 15 (87%) FAP patients, small-bowel polyps were detected by CE ranging from estimated 10 mm in size. Thereof, in four patients, medium-sized (5-10 mm) or large-sized (>10 mm) polyps were seen-all of them located in the proximal jejunum. In three FAP patients with repeated CEs, the latest CE displayed medium- and large-sized polyps in the proximal jejunum, whereas previous CEs had detected only small-sized (

CONCLUSION : CE is an effective and safe method for small-bowel surveillance in FAP and PJS.