Diagnostic yield was 32.6% for IC and 39.2% when oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy also occurred. A TII rate of 98% should be achievable in children. A change in management occurred in 45% and as a significant negative finding may be as important as a positive diagnosis for exclusion of suspected disorders, with consequent reassurance and change in management. Contribution to management was therefore identified in all cases.

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Background Endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) is an effective management strategy in stricturing Crohn’s disease (CD). While adult studies showed a high success rate of improved symptoms and avoiding surgical intervention, very little has been published in children. We thus present a multi-centre retrospective cohort study of EBD in paediatric CD from 9 centres affiliated with the Paediatric IBD Porto group of ESPGHAN. Methods Demographics, imaging, serological data, clinical indices (including the newly-developed modified CD obstructive score (mCDOS)), post-EBD complications and need for surgical intervention were recorded on electronic case report forms. Results Thirty-nine balloon dilatations were performed on 34 children (20 (59%) male, mean age 14.3 ± 3.4 years, median disease duration 3.5 years (IQR 1.1–5.8)). Successful avoidance of surgical intervention was recorded in 26 (76%) children, during a median follow-up period of 24 weeks (IQR 8–24). There was an increase in number of patients in clinical remission (wPCDAI < 12.5) following EBD from 20% pre-dilation to 36% (ns), 53% (p = 0.017) and 57% (p = 0.015) at weeks 2, 8 and 24, respectively. There was a trend to reduced mCDOS, from 5 (IQR 0–15) at baseline to 5 (0–6.25) (ns), 5 (0–5) (p = 0.04), and 0 (0–7.5) (ns), respectively. The stricture was primary in 31 (79%) children (17 in the ileocecal valve (ICV) region, 3 in the terminal ileum, 9 in the colon and 1 in the duodenum), 7 of whom had multiple strictures. Eight (21%) children had an anastomotic stricture. Median stricture length was 3 cm (IQR 2–4.7), bowel wall thickness 7 mm (IQR 5–8) and median pre-stenotic dilatation of 4.5 cm (IQR 4–5). Median maximal dilatation diameter was 15 mm (IQR 12–18) with the successful passage of the colonoscope in 26/39 (67%). There were 3 (8%) post-dilatation complications including one bleed following rectal dilatation (with spontaneous resolution) and 2 perforations (1 duodenal perforation managed conservatively and 1 ICV perforation requiring surgical resection). Conclusion EBD is an effective and safe technique in paediatric stricturing CD with over 75% avoiding surgery by one year and 8% complications. Further data are required to better identify optimal stricture features and dilatation diameter in children.

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