DOUBLE BALLOON ENDOSCOPY

Overview and Facts

DBE or Double Balloon Endoscopy is a type of endoscopy procedure that is presently used to look at the small intestines (bowel). Double Balloon Endoscopy was developed in Japan in 2001 and is now commonly used to diagnose and monitor Crohn’s Disease.

Double Balloon Endoscopy is a new type of endoscopy procedure in which the instrument being utilized is composed of two tubes in which the other tube is inside of another tube that is used to look at the small bowel (intestine) by inserting the instrument via the mouth or the rectum.

The inner tube or the enteroscopy of the DBE instrument is the endoscope which is used for viewing with a light attached to it to see any part of the small intestine. Also, it has a balloon attached to it and will keep in place if inflated.

The other part of the double-balloon endoscopy is the outer tube or overtube which is inserted in the mouth or rectum to reach the small intestine which also has a balloon attached and will keep in place if the balloon is inflated.

After inspecting and diagnosing a certain part of the small intestine, the balloons on the inner and outer tube are inflated and deflated alternately and enable the instrument to move through the next part of the small intestine to be inspected, examined, and diagnosed.

These steps will be repeated until the endoscope has moved through the whole small intestine. This procedure enables doctors to see the whole small intestine.

Also, Double Balloon Endoscopy enables the doctor to obtain tissue samples inside the small intestine to be examined and diagnosed for signs of disease.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

Double Balloon Endoscopy is a procedure where the special instrument is inserted either in the rectum or the mouth to see the inside of the small intestine. After the procedure, the doctor will track the recovery of the patient and monitor the levels of the anesthesia or sedative before the patient is ready to be released. The common signs and symptoms after the procedure may include:

Sore throat
Nausea or vomiting
Excessive gas
Bloating
Cramping

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

Double Balloon Endoscopy is primarily used if the patient is suspected of Crohn’s disease or any abnormalities occurring in the small intestine. The procedure will be done to view the inner lining of the small intestine for any signs of ulceration or abnormalities and also used to monitor the small intestine of people who have Crohn’s disease.

During the procedure, if necessary, the instrument can take tissue samples of the small intestine to be examined in a lab. Double Balloon Endoscopy can be performed to remove the foreign object, polyp, or treating bleeding lesions.

TREATMENT

After the procedure, the patient is taken to the recovery room to recover until the patient is ready to be discharged. The doctor responsible for the operation will explain the preliminary results, give the complete results to the patient and the biopsy results after a couple of days.