What is video capsule endoscopy?

In this procedure, the patient swallows a vitamin-pill sized video capsule that is less than an inch long (about 23 mm). It enables the doctor to examine all three portions (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) of the small intestine. A technician attaches sensors to the abdomen and connects them to a data recorder that is worn on a belt around the waist. The capsule contains a tiny video camera. As the capsule travels through the gastrointestinal tract, the camera takes pictures and sends them to the data recorder. After 8 hours, the technician removes the data recorder and the doctor looks at the pictures on a video monitor. The capsule normally passes out of the body in the stool within a day or two.

Click Image to Enlarge

Why is the Video Capsule Endoscopy procedure performed?

Video Capsule Endoscopy helps your doctor determine the cause for recurrent or persistent symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bleeding or anemia after an Esophagogastroduodenoscopy ( EGD) or a colonoscopy has been performed without revealing a diagnosis. In certain chronic gastrointestinal diseases the method can also help to evaluate the extent to which your small intestine is involved or monitor the effect of therapeutics. Your doctor might use Video Capsule Endoscopy to obtain motility data such as gastric or small bowel passage time.

What are the advantages?

Video capsule endoscopy is becoming popular because it has several advantages over traditional endoscopy:

• It can show the entire small intestine and thus may be better at finding sources of bleeding.
• It is not invasive. In traditional endoscopy, a thin, lighted tube is inserted down your throat.
• It is painless, so you do not need to take pain medication.
• You do not have to stay in the hospital.
• You have to fast for 12 hours before swallowing the capsule, but it does not require other preparation.