Capsule endoscopy (en DOS-skuh-pee) enables the physician to look inside the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine but is primarily designed for the small intestine or esophagus. The procedure might be used to discover a source of bleeding suspected to be in the small bowel, diagnose Crohn’s disease or screen for Barrett’s change of the esophagus (See Disease Info).
For the procedure you will swallow a small capsule, about the size of a glucosamine tablet. This will transmit images to storage device that you wear. Right before the procedure the nurse will attach a sensor array to your chest (Esophageal Capsule) or abdomen (Small Bowel Capsule) using sticky pads similar to those used for an EKG of your heart. A vest containing a small hard drive and batteries is then worn. The capsule transmits an image of the esophagus or small bowel to the hard drive over the course of 8 hours, so the physician can carefully examine the lining of these organs. The test is begun in the morning and you are able to leave the physicians office, returning in the afternoon to drop off the vest. The process is completely painless and the capsule does not need to be retrieved, passing naturally in the next few days. The physician then uses special software to create a movie from the images obtained which is then reviewed.
The capsule takes 2 pictures each second for up to 8 hours. The physician can see abnormalities, like angioectasia, ulcers or tumors that don't show up well on x rays. No biopsies or treatments can currently be performed.
A possible complication of capsule endoscopy is capsule retention. This occurs rarely in patients with intestinal strictures, either from past inflammatory intestinal diseases or bowel resections. However, such complication is very uncommon. Most people will not notice the capsule at all. No sedation is needed.
Please contact us at our Sonoma County office in Santa Rosa for additional questions regarding capsule endoscopy.
Preparation
Your stomach and small bowel must be empty for the procedure to be thorough and safe, so you will not be able to eat or drink anything for at least 6 hours beforehand. You must also drink 2 liters of a lavage solution to clear out any residue in the small intestine (several flavors are available!). You may drive yourself to and from the office for the test. Depending on your medical history, our physicians may give you other special instructions.
EGD