Capsule Endoscopy

Small bowel capsule endoscopy is a relatively new technique used to examine the lining of the small intesine.  This is done by having the patient swallow a video capsule the size of a vitamin pill.  While this capsule travels through the small intestine during the 8 hour exam, it transmits thousands of images of the small intestine to a small data recorder that is kept next to the patient during this time.  The patient is free to move about and engage in normal daily activities during the 8 hours of the exam.  Afterwards, the doctor will review the images on a  monitor.

Small bowel capsule endoscopy is often done to evaluate for possible diseases of the small intestine.  These include:

• Unexplained chronic diarrhea
• Unexplained chronic gastrointestinal bleeding
• Unexplained iron deficiency anemia
• Suspected tumor or cancer of the small intestine