Capsule Endoscopy

The diagnosis and treatment of diseases that pertain to the upper gastrointestinal tract has been revolutionized by a number of modern techniques. The small intestines, however, have not been so lucky. This is mainly because surgery is required most of the time to be able to diagnose and treat this organ. Radiological procedures have been available to help diagnose problems pertaining to the small intestines, but not only are these procedures time consuming, the results are also not always accurate. Thus, small tumors and other irregularities pertaining to the small intestine may not be identified. One recent technology that helps in diagnosing problems pertaining to the small intestine is wireless capsule endoscopy or the capsule endoscopy.   

The technology in wireless capsule endoscopy involves swallowing a video capsule. This capsule takes photographs of your small gastrointestinal tract including your small intestines. Before a capsule endoscopy the interior of your intestines are emptied of any remaining food and bacterial remains.  This is usually done with the help of some laxative.  The patient then swallows a large capsule.  This capsule is equipped with one or more cameras or video chips, a battery, a light bulb, and a radio transmitter. While the capsule is traveling through the gastrointestinal tract it takes photographs in quick succession. The radio transmitter then transmits the photos with the help of a radio transmitter to a receiver. The patient wears this transmitter on his waist.  This procedure takes approximately 24 hours after which the photographs taken are downloaded onto a computer after which a physician reviews them. The capsule is then eliminated from the body through bowel movement.    

There are a few limitations as far as using the capsule are concerned. The main limitation is that it does not allow for any kind of therapy. Another problem with this test is that the capsule transits rapidly, as a result of which, the photographs may be blurred. Sometimes the capsule transits so slowly that only a small part of the intestines are examined before the batteries fail. Sometimes, even though abnormalities are discovered in the small intestine, one is not able to pinpoint exactly where the problem is. The capsule may sometimes get stuck in an area in the small intestine that is narrow. This obstruction however could be cleared with the help of surgery. Last but not the least; it is extremely difficult for your doctor to review thousands of photographs.  

There is no reason to worry as there have been continual improvements in wireless capsule endoscopy. Some diseases that can be diagnosed by this procedure include angiodysplasias, tumors such as carcinoid tumor, lymphoma, and Crohn’s disease.