The role of capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis of digestive haemorrhage

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a common cause of hospitalization, with a high hospital morbidity and mortality rate, but decreasing compared to previous years due to an important progress in therapeutic endoscopic techniques. It is estimated that 5-7% of gastrointestinal bleedings are of obscure origin, with a normal upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy. The capsule endoscopy is the state-of-the-art, non-invasive procedure, providing a fine diagnosis of intestinal lesions, especially those found in the small bowel, difficult to address by other methods. Many studies have been published during the past years regarding the sensibility and outcome of capsule endoscopy in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, but few underline its definitive role in the diagnosis of digestive bleeding. This review looks at the role of capsule endoscopy in the evaluation of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding from the small bowel and the therapeutic options available.