Role of endoscopy in the assessment and treatment of Clostridium difficile infection

As our ability to diagnose and treat Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) has improved over time, the role that endoscopy plays in the management of these patients has evolved. We reviewed the medical literature to describe the role of endoscopy in the management of CDI. A search of PubMed, Ovid, and the Cochrane Library was performed. s were reviewed to determine their scientific merit and relevance. The selected articles and relevant embedded references from the primary articles were also examined, with recommendations based on consensus conclusions of the data. A total of 80 articles were reviewed and analyzed for this article. Endoscopy once played a very prominent role in the diagnosis and management of C. difficile infections. It now serves as a tool in complicated cases to evaluate for other pathology and to asses for disease severity, while providing a therapeutic option for select patients.