Capsule Endoscopy

In the past, without performing surgery, the small intestine was a difficult organ in which to make diagnoses and perform treatments. Capsule endoscopy enables doctors to see inside your small intestine, which is located between the stomach and the colon. More traditional endoscopy procedures do not easily reach the small intestine. Moreover, it is difficult to see the small intestine on x-rays and other imaging tests.

Capsule endoscopy uses a tiny wireless camera to take pictures of your digestive tract. The camera is contained within a small, pill-sized capsule that you swallow. The capsule has its own light source and takes photos of the small intestine as it passes through. The pictures are then sent to a small recording device that is worn on the body.

Why It’s Done

The most common reason why capsule endoscopy is performed is to determine the cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. It is also useful for detecting tumors in the small intestine or other parts of the digestive tract, diagnosing inflammatory bowel diseases, diagnosing and monitoring celiac disease, and screening for polyps. Moreover, if the results of x-rays or other imaging tests were unclear or unusual, we may recommend a capsule endoscopy as a follow-up test.

What to Expect

In order to prepare you for a capsule endoscopy, the doctor will apply a sensor device to your abdomen with adhesive sleeves. Once you swallow the capsule, it will pass through your digestive tract naturally while transmitting images to a data recorder attached to your belt. You can carry out normal activities after swallowing the capsule. Approximately eight hours later, you will return the data recorder to the doctor so the images can be downloaded and evaluated. The capsule endoscope will be excreted naturally in a bowel movement, and it is disposable.