Capsule Endoscopy
We Offer two Capsule Endoscopies
What is Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy?
Capsule Endoscopy allows your doctor to examine the lining of the middle part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the three portions of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum).Your doctor will have you ingest a vitamin-pill sized video capsule, which has its own camera and light source. During the 8 hour exam, you are free to move about. While the video capsule travels through your body, it sends images to a data recorder you will wear on a waist belt. Most patients find the test comfortable. Afterwards your doctor will view the images on a video monitor.
Why is Capsule Endoscopy Done?
Capsule endoscopy helps your doctor evaluate the small intestine. This part of the bowel cannot be reached by traditional upper endoscopy or by colonoscopy. The most common reason for doing capsule endoscopy is to search for a cause of bleeding from the small intestine. It may also be useful for detecting polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease), ulcers, and tumors of the small intestine.
How Should I Prepare for the Procedure?
The day prior to your appointment you will be given a bowel prep that will eliminate waste from your entire colon to allow the capsule to take clear pictures of the small bowel wall. You will also be asked not to eat solid foods and follow a clear liquid diet the day prior and day of your procedure until you are instructed otherwise.
Tell your doctor of the presence of a pacemaker, previous abdominal surgery, or previous history of obstructions in the bowel, inflammatory bowel disease, or adhesions.
What Can I Expect During Capsule Endoscopy?
Your doctor will prepare you for the examination by applying a sensor device to your abdomen with adhesive sleeves (similar to tape). The capsule endoscope is swallowed and passes naturally through your digestive tract while transmitting video images to a data recorder worn on your belt for approximately eight hours. At the end of the procedure you will return to the office and the data recorder is removed so that images of your small bowel can be put on a computer screen for physician review.
What Happens After Capsule Endoscopy?
You will be able to drink clear liquids after three hours and eat a light meal after five hours following the capsule ingestion, unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. You will have to avoid vigorous physical activity such as running or jumping or bending during the study. Your doctor generally can tell you the test results within two weeks following the procedure; however, the results of some tests might take longer.
Esophageal Capsule Endoscopy
From American Gastroenterological Association.
A Journey through the Gut
The term endoscopy refers to a special technique for looking inside the digestive tract in order to evaluate any abnormalities such as esophageal varices and signs of cirrhosis. Capsule endoscopy uses a video capsule that contains a miniature color video camera with a light, transmitter and batteries to perform a painless examination of your esophagus and small intestine. The procedure will only take 20 minutes to perform and there is no bowel prep.
You may be surprised at the size of the capsule — it is the size of a large vitamin pill, just over an inch long and less than ½ inch wide. Once swallowed, it travels through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, sending multiple images a second to a recording device worn around your waist. The capsule will not be absorbed or digested, but will move through your digestive system and be eliminated through a normal bowel movement.
During the Test…
Esophageal Capsule Endoscopy
Before beginning the test, a member of the medical team will place sensors on your chest using adhesive patches. These sticky patches are connected by wires to a recording device, which you will wear around your waist during the entire procedure.
When you are ready to begin, you will swallow the video capsule with water while lying flat on your back. Every two minutes for six minutes you will be raised by 30 degrees until you are sitting upright; you will remain upright for an additional 15 minutes to make sure the capsule has traveled the length of the esophagus. Sitting up gradually slows the movement of the capsule, allowing time for extra pictures to be taken.
During the test, the small light on the data recorder will blink to confirm that it is receiving data.
After 20 minutes, the test is complete and the sensors will be removed. You are then free to leave the office while your doctor begins downloading and analyzing the information from the data recorder.
What are the Possible Complications of Capsule Endoscopy?
Although complications can occur, they are rare when doctors who are specially trained and experienced in this procedure, such as members of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, perform the test. Please contact the office immediately if you:
- Develop a fever after swallowing the capsule
- Have trouble swallowing
- Begin to vomit.
- Experience chest pain or abdominal pain
The capsule will continue passing through your digestive tract and will be eliminated through a normal bowel movement in the next two to three days. Please contact the office when you are able to see the capsule. If you do not see the capsule in two weeks we will send you for an x-ray to make sure capsule is not obstructed in the bowel.
What are the Possible Complications of Capsule Endoscopy?
Although complications can occur, they are rare when doctors who are specially trained and experienced in this procedure, such as members of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, perform the test. Please contact the office immediately if you:
- Develop a fever after swallowing the capsule
- Have trouble swallowing
- Begin to vomit.
- Experience chest pain or abdominal pain
The capsule will continue passing through your digestive tract and will be eliminated through a normal bowel movement in the next two to three days. Please contact the office when you are able to see the capsule. If you do not see the capsule in two weeks we will send you for an x-ray to make sure capsule is not obstructed in the bowel.