Capsule Endoscopy

What is a Capsule Endoscopy?

Capsule endoscopy is a procedure designed to help your physician see what is happening inside parts of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is the tube that extends from the mouth to the anus in which the movement of muscles digests food. During the procedure, a patient swallows a vitamin-sized pill with a camera inside (pill camera). Transported smoothly and painlessly through the GI tract by the body’s own natural peristalsis, the video pill capsule transmits images of different parts of your intestine such as the small intestine and the esophagus.

Why is a 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 a 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. Capsule endoscopy is the least invasive and most direct way for doctors to see the entirety of the small intestine.

How should I Prepare for the Procedure?

Before undergoing a capsule endoscopy, you will need to have an empty stomach, so there is no food or drink of any kind allowed for at least 12 hours before the procedure.

Your doctor may instruct you to take additional steps before the procedure, like restricting your diet or taking a bowel preparation. You will also need to disclose any medications, even over-the-counter ones, and discuss your medical history, including previous surgeries or bowel disease. The day of the capsule test, do not drink or eat anything the morning, except for your medications approved by the doctor, taken with a small sip of water.

How is Capsule Endoscopy Performed?

The test is performed either at the doctor’s office or at the hospital. After checking in, a medical staff member will apply sensor probes and a vest with a wireless recording device on your abdomen and waist. You will then swallow the pill camera, which will record and transmit images as it travels down through your digestive tract over an 8 hour period.  The test usually starts in the morning, between 8 and 9 AM. You should wear loose clothing. You may drive yourself, as you will not be sedated. Once you have swallowed the pill camera, you can leave the office or facility and resume light activities. You can have liquids after 2 hours and eat a light meal after 4 hours.

At the end of the 8 hour recording period, you will return to the office where the staff will remove the sensors and vest from your body. The video recording will then be reviewed by your doctor once it has been uploaded to a computer. After ingesting the capsule and until it is excreted, (you may not see the capsule release) you should not be near an MRI device or schedule an MRI examination.

What are the Risks Associated with Capsule Endoscopy?

Capsule endoscopy is a very safe and low-risk procedure. There is a small risk of the pill camera getting stuck in a narrowed spot in the digestive tract, which can be due to stricture (narrowing) caused by inflammation, surgery, scar tissue, or a tumor. The camera getting stuck can lead to a blockage in the intestines called bowel obstruction.