ASGE Recognized Industry Associate (ARIA) Training Program OPEN | October 2025-GI Tract In Disease

Pdf Summary

This document provides an overview of diseases affecting the small intestine, focusing on celiac disease, obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, small bowel obstruction, and mesenteric ischemia.<br /><br />Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten—a protein in wheat, barley, and rye—that damages the small intestine in genetically predisposed individuals. Symptoms range from fatigue and anemia to abdominal pain, diarrhea, malabsorption, and growth failure in children. Diagnosis involves serologic testing for antibodies (e.g., tissue transglutaminase) while on a gluten-containing diet and small bowel biopsies. Treatment is strict gluten avoidance.<br /><br />Obscure GI bleeding refers to bleeding without an obvious source despite endoscopy and accounts for about 10% of GI bleeds. Seventy-five percent originate in the small intestine and can be caused by Meckel’s diverticulum, Crohn’s disease, ulcers, angiodysplasia, tumors, or Dieulafoy’s lesions. Evaluation includes repeating upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy—a swallowable camera pill visualizing the small bowel—and device-assisted deep enteroscopy (double-balloon, single-balloon, or rotational). Treatments depend on cause and may include iron supplementation, endoscopic therapy, angiographic embolization, or surgery.<br /><br />Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a medical emergency where mechanical or functional blockages (like adhesions, hernias, tumors, intussusception, strictures, or bezoars) impede intestinal transit. Symptoms include abdominal pain, distension, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Diagnosis is through abdominal x-rays and CT scans. Management involves nasogastric tube decompression, fluid and electrolyte correction, and sometimes surgery.<br /><br />Mesenteric ischemia arises from reduced blood flow to the small intestine due to arterial blockage or narrowing, either acutely by clots or chronically via atherosclerosis. It presents with abdominal pain disproportionate to findings and may cause weight loss and food avoidance. Diagnosis uses angiography and imaging modalities. Treatments include angiographic procedures and surgery.<br /><br />In summary, the small intestine is affected by autoimmune, obstructive, hemorrhagic, and ischemic conditions, each requiring specific diagnostic tools and treatments.

Asset Subtitle

Kunjali Padhya, MD

Keywords

small intestine diseases

celiac disease

obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

small bowel obstruction

mesenteric ischemia

autoimmune intestinal disorders

diagnostic endoscopy

capsule endoscopy

intestinal ischemia

intestinal obstruction