Abstract

Muhammad A Khattak , Hilary L Martin , Jonathan Martin , Paul Hollington and Ganessan Kichenadasse

Capsule endoscopy is indicated primarily to identify small intestine pathology. Capsule retention is an uncommon complication of capsule endoscopy which can sometimes result in symptomatic bowel obstruction. We report a case of an 84 year old gentleman with a past history of locally advanced prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy about 20 years ago, who was investigated for occult gastrointestinal blood loss with a capsule endoscopy. He developed symptomatic small bowel obstruction related to capsule endoscopy due to undiagnosed strictures related to past radiotherapy. There has been only one other reported case of symptomatic bowel obstruction as a complication of capsule endoscopy in a patient previously treated with radiotherapy for endometrial cancer. This case highlights the need for cautious use of capsule endoscopy in patients having a past history of abdominal or pelvic radiotherapy, who may have enteric strictures.