This book was intended to improve diagnostic yields of capsule endoscopy and double-balloon
endoscopy because the procedures can depict somewhat nonspecific findings that may not lead to
a proper diagnosis. Another reason was our recognition of the difficulty in distinguishing
enteroscopic findings of ulcerative colitis from those of Crohn's disease. From a practical
point of view it is important to observe endoscopic pictures first and then to compare the
images of other modalities and finally to compare macroscopic pictures of resected specimens.
We therefore decided to put together a large number of well depicted Japanese examples of small
intestinal lesions in an effort to clarify differences among small intestinal lesions that
apparently exhibit similar findings and morphologies. Comparisons with radiographic findings
comprise another important element. There are limitations in endoscopic observations when it
comes to gross lesions of the small intestine with its many angles. In Japan many
institutions still practice double contrast imaging which provides beautiful results and we
believe this point will resonate with many readers. Since a single disorder may exhibit
variations this volume includes multiple depictions of the same disorders. We have also
included lesions in both active and inactive phases because both appearances are highly likely
to be encountered simultaneously in actual clinical practice. We therefore decided to limit the
number of findings to be depicted and to put together only strictly selected cases.¿
