Deenaz Z et al. – This study used probe–based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) to measure capillary flow rates during endoscopy in duodenal mucosa in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There was an increase in the capillary blood flow in the duodenum of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) that did not relate to disease activity, thus proving the importance of pCLE during endoscopy for assessment of early vascular changes.

Methods

• pCLE was used to capture images of villi with visible blood vessels in 45 patients and capillary flow rate was calculated, followed by its correlation with various clinical parameters.

Results

• Patients with UC showed significantly higher duodenal capillary flow rates as compared with non–IBD and Crohn’s disease.
• There was no correlation between serum hemoglobin and albumin, disease activity indices, serum inflammatory markers, and capillary flow rates in patients.