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Enteroscopy - Risks

Alternative Names

Small bowel biopsy; Push enteroscopy; Double-balloon enteroscopy; Capsule enteroscopy; Sonde enteroscopy

What the risks are:

Complications are rare but may include:

Excessive bleeding from the biopsy site
Hole in the bowel (bowel perforation)
Infection of the biopsy site leading to bacteremia
Vomiting, followed by aspiration into the lungs

Special considerations:

Factors that prohibit use of this test may include:

Uncooperative or confused patients
Untreated blood clotting (coagulation) disorders
Use of aspirin or other medicines that prevent the blood from clotting normally (anticoagulants)

The greatest risk is bleeding. Signs include:

Small intestine biopsy

Reviewed last on: 2/29/2008
Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Sidhu R, Sanders DS, Morris AJ, McAlindon ME. Guidelines on small bowel enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy in adults. Gut. 2008;57:125-136.

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