Capsule Endoscopy

With this test physicians can see inside a patient’s GI tract with the aid of a disposable camera, the size of a vitamin-sized pill! Over 1.5 million patients have undergone this test, which is performed mainly to visualize approximately 22 feet of the difficult to reach small intestine. It is used primarily for evaluation of disorders of the small bowel, such as Crohn’s disease, obscure bleeding, celiac sprue, and tumors of the small intestine. Patients are given a bowel preparation before the procedure. The following morning, a nurse or technician will explain the procedure. A sensor belt will be placed over our waist and a small portable recording device will be placed on the belt. This device communicates with the camera pill as it passes through the small bowel.You will be asked to swallow the vitamin-sized capsule with a glass of water and you will resume daily activities. You will return that evening with the sensory belt and recorder. The images will be downloaded from the recorder and reviewed. The camera pill passes naturally with bowel movement, usually in 24 to 72 hours.