Capsule endoscopy is a noninvasive technique intended for studying the small bowel and/or colon. The capsule endoscope consists of a small, wireless, pill-sized camera that can be swallowed and allows direct visualization of the gastrointestinal mucosa. The design of the capsule differs depending on the part of the gastrointestinal tract to be studied. The small-bowel capsule has one optical dome and is generally used in patients who have suspected bleeding or to identify evidence of active Crohn’s disease. By contrast, the colon capsule has two optical domes, a higher frame rate and can be considered as an alternative to conventional colonoscopy, especially for cases when the examination was incomplete. There is also a new capsule with two optical domes that is designed for the panendoscopic study of both the small bowel and colon. 

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel condition that can present with a wide range of intestinal and extra-intestinal manifestations. This condition can develop at any age and have a significant impact and impairment on quality of life for individuals including on relationships, educational attainment and work productivity. In particular, the time around and after diagnosis often involves the most upheaval for patients, and equally the biggest opportunity for effective intervention. Several recent advances have had a major impact on optimal management of patients with newly diagnosed CD. Here, we discuss the mistakes that are commonly made when managing patients presenting with a new diagnosis of CD. We summarise the evidence base and offer helpful and pragmatic tips for practising clinicians.

Adequate nutrition is essential for the homeostasis of fluids and nutrients, growth and thriving, especially in children. While the underlying principle of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement is the same for both adults and children—providing a means of enteral feeding through the stomach—the indications, considerations and techniques differ owing to anatomical differences, age-dependent physiological concerns, and the age- and disease-specific needs of the child.

If feeding via nasogastric tube (NGT) or naso-jejunal tube (NJT) is necessary for a prolonged time, placement of a PEG or percutaneous endoscopic gastro-jejunal (PEG-J) tube should be considered. A PEG tube also allows the delivery of medications and venting of the stomach when needed. Nutrition via PEG facilitates the transition to out-of-hospital care and improves the quality of life (QoL) for children and families while improving the outcome of children with chronic diseases.

There are recent clinical guidelines providing guidance for PEG tube placement in children, but little advice on, e.g., choosing the right device for the right patient, details on postoperative management, removal of the PEG tube and other specific cases. The following article provides a combination of evidence-based data and the authors’ clinical experience.

Long-term enteral nutrition via gastrostomy is a relatively common medical intervention for patients at risk of malnutrition who have an accessible and functioning gastrointestinal tract. There are clear clinical guidelines describing the principles of practice as well as numerous retrospective and non-randomised controlled studies and case series. However, fewer publications impart advice and guidance regarding the management and ‘patient selection’ for these interventions. The following article provides a combination of the author’s views and the evidence base.

Barrett’s oesophagus is the precursor to oesophageal adenocarcinoma, which carries a poor prognosis, and it is likely that all endoscopists and gastroenterologists will encounter Barrett’s oesophagus in their clinical practice. Careful assessment and management of patients who have Barrett’s oesophagus with endoscopic surveillance and endoscopic endotherapy aim to reduce the risk of progression to invasive adenocarcinoma. Advances in endoscopic diagnosis and therapy should, therefore, help to reduce the risk of progression. As with all premalignant conditions and surveillance programmes, careful multidisciplinary management of the patient is important to reduce the risk of causing them to become unduly concerned. Here, we present some mistakes that in our experience are commonly made in the endoscopic diagnosis and management of Barrett’s oesophagus and give advice on how to avoid them.