Review Article

The Diagnosis and Investigation of Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding

K. Liu; A. J. Kaffes

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011;34(14):416-423.

Conclusion

Obscure gastrointestinal bleed is a common problem facing gastroenterologists. Various radiological, endoscopic and surgical options are available to evaluate the cause of OGIB, each with their own advantages and shortfalls. The development of CE and DBE has transformed the approach to the evaluation and management of OGIB over the past decade. Older diagnostic modalities still play a complementary, albeit increasingly selective role. With growing experience in these new technologies, an ever-reducing minority of patients presenting with OGIB will be left without a diagnosis.

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Acknowledgement
Declaration of personal and funding interests: None.

Cite this: The Diagnosis and Investigation of Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding - Medscape - Aug 01, 2011.

Table 1. Causes of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding
Upper GI lesions
Cameron erosions	5–15
Angioectasia	5–10
Varices	1–5
Dieulafoy lesion	2–3
Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE)	1–2
Portal hypertensive gastropathy	1–2
Small bowel lesions
Angioectasia	20–55
Small bowel tumours	10–20
Crohn's disease	2–10
Coeliac disease	2–5
Meckel's diverticulum	2–5
NSAID enteropathy	5
Dieulafoy lesion	1–2
Ectopic varices	1–2
Portal hypertensive enteropathy	1–2 (but 60–70in those with portal hypertension)
Radiation enteritis	<1
Lower GI lesions
Angioectasias	2
Neoplasms	1
Dieulafoy lesion	<1
Rare lesions
Haemobilia	<1
Haemosuccus pancreaticus	<1

Values are expressed as percentages.^{27,40,65–69}

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