REVIEW   Free access

Minerva Medica 2025 February;116(1):31-42

DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4806.24.09361-3

Copyright © 2024 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Clinical approach to the diagnosis and management of small bowel bleeding

Sanket BHATTARAI ¹, Sandra ALGARIN PERNETH ¹, Huber PADILLA ZAMBRANO ², Cadman L. LEGGETT ¹ ✉

¹ Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; ² Advanced GI Endoscopy, EmuraCenter Latinoamerica, Bogotá, Colombia

The diagnosis and management of small bowel bleeding (SBB) can be a clinical challenge. Advances in video capsule endoscopy, balloon-assisted enteroscopy, and multiphasic computed tomography allow for localization and therapeutic intervention. Etiologies of SBB including vascular, neoplastic, and inflammatory conditions are associated with age and comorbidities. The present review highlights terminologies that describe SBB, provides a differential diagnosis for bleeding etiologies, and summarizes a clinical approach to managing this condition.

KEY WORDS: Intestine, small; Hemorrhage; Capsule endoscopy; Balloon enteroscopy