General Remarks

Usefulness of double-balloon endoscopy in pediatric patients

Hironori Yamamoto
Endoscopy Center, Department of Endoscopic Research and International Education, Jichi Medical University

Abstract

　Double-balloon endoscopy（DBE）is a relatively new diagnostic and therapeutic modality that has enabled endoscopic approach to all segments of the small intestine. It has been used not only in adult but also in pediatric patients. It has been shown to be safe and effective in pediatric patients as well. In several pediatric diseases such as Meckel’s diverticulum and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, DBE enabled non-surgical diagnosis and/or treatment. Moreover, DBE enabled an endoscopic approach to the biliary tract in patients with Roux-en-Y anastomosis. Biliary stenosis after living-donor liver transplantation can be managed with endoscopic balloon dilatation and stent placement using DBE.
　DBE is a clinically useful endoscopic procedure in pediatric patients as well.

Keywords：Double-balloon endoscopy(DBE), Meckel’s diverticulum, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome