The history of enteroscopy

Abstract

Enteroscopy was initially a technology with little application. The small intestine was thought to be a rare site for any pathology and the ability to look at the most proximal and distal ends, during upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, was all that was needed in the evaluation of most patients. The power to peer into the small bowel has changed medical practice. This is especially true when dealing with patients with unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding. Enteroscopy helped determine causes of bleeding in such cases, and helped determine the most appropriate treatment algorithms.