Capsule endoscopy, is a gastrointestinal study that uses a pill-sized device that contains a camera to take images and videos of the intestinal lumen.

 

Mainly, It's commonly used to view the small intestine, which is difficult to access using a traditional endoscope (gastroscopy or colonoscopy), but it also helps to localize lesions in the esophagus, stomach, and colon, however, with some limitations as cannot be used for biopsy or therapy.

 

The main indications of capsule endoscopy are recurrent episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding after traditional endoscopic procedures have failed to identify the bleeding source. It is also a useful study in diagnosing or assessing certain conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, as well, for detecting polyps or tumors and for localizing a lesion prior to invasive procedures.

 

In order to perform the procedure, you will need to follow a specific diet and take a preparation with laxatives to clean your gastrointestinal tract. During the test, you will require to wear a recording device on your waist throughout the procedure, which will record and store pictures taken by the capsule camera as it moves through your gut. The doctor will then ask you to swallow the pill-sized wireless video endoscopy capsule with some water. After swallowing it, you will resume your daily activities, following some specific recommendations in your diet.

 

The whole recording is completed usually after 8 hours or when the capsule passes out after your bowel movement (the capsule is disposable and can be easily flushed down the toilet). After this, you’ll need to go back to your doctor to return the recording device.

 

After the procedure, your doctor will transfer and review the stored images from the recording device to help identify any gastrointestinal problem.

 

Capsule endoscopy offers a pain-free way to examine hard-to-reach areas of your small intestine, delivering accurate results without discomfort or downtime.