Diagnostic Yield of Same Setting Oesophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy (OGD)and Colonoscopy for Pediatric Patients with Chronic Diarrhea

Abstract

Abstract Background In patients with unexplained chronic diarrhea colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy are helpful in the diagnosis. It is the routine practice in Ain Shams University pediatric endoscopy unit to perform both procedures at same setting for patients with unexplained chronic diarrhea. Aim of the Work To find out whether doing Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD) and colonoscopy in patients with chronic diarrhea in one setting is essential for the diagnosis of all cases. Patients and Methods Fifty patients presenting with chronic unexplained diarrhea (>4 weeks duration) in Paediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Children’s Hospital, Ain-Shams University were enrolled. After full history taking, physical examination, both endoscopies were performed biopsy taken and histopathological recording for each sample. Results Of 50 patients with chronic diarrhea included in our study; 23 (46%) had positive endoscopic findings in the OGD. Most common findings in esophagus and stomach were inflammation and erythema. while most common findings in duodenum were edema and flattened mucosa. Colonoscopy findings were positive in 50% of patients including inflammation, nodularity, and edema mostly in the ileum. 50% of endoscopied patients reached final diagnosis based on endoscopy and histopathology. Definitive diagnosis reached through EGD alone in (12%) of cases, through colonoscopy alone in (28%) and through both techniques in (60%). There was no statistical significant agreement between endoscopy findings and predominant gastrointestinal manifestations including different types of diarrhea, fecal calprotectin with p-value =0.150, and 0.833 respectively. There was no statistical significant agreement between final diagnosis and suspected GIT part involvement on initial clinical evaluation with p- value=0.805. Conclusion Endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal tract and colonoscopy at same day may be helpful in diagnosis of cases with chronic diarrhea as we can't decide which one to perform based on clinical presentation.