Computed Virtual Chromoendoscopy - Enhanced Videocapsule Endoscopy is of Potential Benefit in Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia Syndrome Refractory to Endoscopic Treatment

Abstract

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) syndrome represents a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. More extensive small-bowel involvement must be excluded in those patients with GAVE syndrome in whom aggressive endoscopic treatment of antral lesions results in lack of control of digestive bleeding, and for this subset of patients videocapsule endoscopy examination should be considered. However, since the dim angioectatic lesions, even if located in the gastric antrum, might be difficult to accurately outline with standard endoscopy, virtual chromoendoscopy techniques have been employed to aid in their detection, and the presented case illustrates how Fujinon intelligent color-enhancement (FICE) technology implemented in videocapsule endoscopy clearly emphasizes the vascular morphology and delineation of antral angioectasias, allowing better targeted endoscopic treatment and improving patient outcome.