Double Balloon Enteroscopy Melbourne

Double Balloon Enteroscopy (DBE) is a specialised procedure used to examine and treat conditions within the small intestine, an area not accessible by standard endoscopy or colonoscopy.

Dr Walid Abu Shawish has dedicated training in advanced small bowel endoscopy, including therapeutic DBE.

What is Double Balloon Enteroscopy?

DBE uses a long endoscope and two balloon-controlled overtubes that allow deep advancement through the small bowel while maintaining excellent visualisation.

DBE can diagnose and treat:

• Unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding

• Small bowel polyps

• Crohn’s disease involvement

• Strictures or narrowing

• Small bowel tumours

• Abnormalities found on capsule endoscopy

• Angiodysplasia

Who Might Benefit From DBE?

Your doctor may refer you for DBE if you have:

• Bleeding detected by capsule endoscopy

• Suspected small bowel inflammation or Crohn’s disease

• Suspected tumours or subepithelial lesions

What to Expect During the Procedure

Depending on the location of the suspected issue, it can be performed from:

• The mouth (anterograde)

• The colon (retrograde)

Procedure features:

• Careful, step-wise advancement using balloon control

• Removal or treatment of bleeding lesions

• Biopsy of abnormal areas

• Dilation of strictures where appropriate

• Duration varies depending on complexity

Benefits of DBE

• Enables diagnosis of conditions unreachable by standard scopes

• Treats bleeding without the need for surgery

• Allows targeted biopsies throughout the small bowel

• Essential for managing obscure bleeding

After Your DBE

A detailed explanation of findings will be provided, including:

• Whether treatment was performed

• Results of biopsies

• Recommendations for follow-up or additional imaging

• Ongoing management plan

Book an Appointment

For evaluation and management of small bowel bleeding or suspected small bowel disease, please book an appointment with
Dr Walid Abu Shawish, Gastroenterologist & Advanced Endoscopist.